Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor D Bawn and G Sanderson.

Members were reminded of the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required where a matter arises at a meeting; 

1. Which directly relates to Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (‘DPI’) as set out in Appendix B, Table 1 of the Code of Conduct, to disclose the interest, not participate in any discussion or vote and not to remain in room. Where members have a DPI or if the matter concerns an executive function and is being considered by a Cabinet Member with a DPI they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with the matter.

2. Which directly relates to the financial interest or well being of a Other Registrable Interest as set out in Appendix B, Table 2 of the Code of Conduct to disclose the interest and only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting but otherwise must not take part in any discussion  or vote on the matter and must not remain the room.

3. Which directly relates to their financial interest or well-being  (and is not  DPI) or the financial well being of a relative or close associate, to declare the interest and members may only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak. Otherwise, the member must not take part in discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room.

4. Which affects the financial well-being of the member, a relative or close associate or a body included under the Other Registrable Interests column in Table 2, to disclose the interest and apply the test set out at paragraph 9 of Appendix B before deciding whether they may remain in the meeting.

5. Where Members have or a Cabinet Member has an Other Registerable Interest or Non Registerable Interest in a matter being considered in exercise of their executive function, they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with it. 

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk.  Members are referred to the Code of Conduct which contains the matters above in full. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

Councillor Towns advised that he had a prejudicial interest in item 8, application 22/01537/FUL and item 9, application 22/01895/FUL as the applicant was a client of his company and would leave the chamber whilst the items were being discussed.

Councillor Beynon advised that he had an interest in item 9, application 22/01895/UL as he worked closely with the school and had previously provided funding to the school through his Members Small Schemes allocation and would leave the chamber whilst the item was being discussed.

Councillor Dickinson advised that he had an interest in item 6, application 21/02485/FUL as he stored his caravan on another site owned by the applicants and would leave the chamber whilst the item was being discussed.

Councillor Darwin advised that he had a personal interest in item 10 as he was Chair of Governors at Kyloe House.

Councillor Foster advised that she had a personal and prejudicial interest in item 5, planning application 22/00075/FUL as a close personal friend lived in a property affected by this application and whilst the issue had not been discussed she felt it best to withdraw from the chamber for this item.

To request the committee to decide the planning applications attached to this report using the powers delegated to it. 

Please note that printed letters of objection/support are not circulated with the agenda but are available on the Council’s website at  http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Planning.aspx

The report requested the Committee to decide the planning applications attached to the report using the powers delegated to it.  Members were reminded of the principles which should govern their consideration of the applications, the procedure for handling representations, the requirement of conditions and the need for justifiable reasons for the granting of permission or refusal of planning applications.

Councillor Foster left the Chamber at this point and Councillor Beynon took the Chair.

Retrospective application for alteration/re profiling to land levels related to residential development.

Hepscott Park, Stannington, Northumberland

Retrospective application for alteration/re profiling to land levels related to residential development.

Hepscott Park, Stannington, Northumberland

T Wood, Principal Planning Officer provided an introduction to the application with the aid of a power point presentation.

Mrs C Knowles addressed the Committee speaking in objection to the application.  Her comments included the following:-

·       She was concerned that the report focussed on the flooding issues within the nursery and her formal objection had been ignored.

·       The land had been raised 1.25m alongside her property and previous to this there had been no issues with water retention on her property.  The water now came off the higher levels and into her garden.  There was no drainage at the lower end of the site.

·       The raised level of the site now meant that the previous height of her fence of 1.8m was now reduced to 60cm allowing no privacy to her own and neighbouring properties when people were using the site to walk dogs etc. 

·       There was now a security issue as the land in question was not secured and allowed greater access to all the properties.

H Wafer, planning consultant addressed the Committee also speaking in objection to the application.  Her comments included the following:-

·       Her client was an adjacent landowner who had objected to the application.

·       The works had created issues with drainage and increased flooding risks with flooding now being seen on previously agricultural land.  There were still concerns that the additional information provided and works to be undertaken to address the problem were insufficient and would still not resolve the current issues being encountered.

·       There should be a condition imposed which would allow the regular monitoring of the site over an 18 month period, provide additional security and allow defects to be rectified within a timely manner.

E Moon, addressed the Committee speaking in support of the application on behalf of the applicant, Bellway Homes.  Her comments included the following:-

·            This application came about following discussions with the adjacent children’s Nursey, which had been subject to historic surface water flooding. They approached Bellway Homes to seek to take advantage of the works being carried out on site to help alleviate this issue.

·            The land was used as a compound during the construction of the new houses and during restoration the opportunity was taken, following discussions with the Nursery and the Council’s Flood Officers, to create a flood alleviation scheme to help provide protection for the Nursery.

·            The work resulted in a number of issues off-site as it was discovered that the existing culvert was blocked. This resulted in ponding on the site and impacted on a number of surrounding properties which gave rise to the objections.  The problem was resolved as soon as possible with the use of pumps on site. While the temporary measures were in place a more permanent solution was discussed and agreed with the Council’s Flood Officers including :

o      Creation of a new outfall into a low water flow channel ‘swale’.

o      New 600mm deep  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Change of use of agricultural land to touring caravan site for up to 40 touring caravans, conversion of existing stables to maintenance/storage sheds associated with caravan site use, erection of buildings comprising site amenities building, reception/warden accommodation building and electricity sub-station, refuse/gas storage/collection areas, hard surfaced areas for access, parking, storage & site servicing purposes and landscaping

Land At North Of Bewick Drift, Cresswell, Northumberland

Change of use of agricultural land to touring caravan site for up to 40 touring caravans, conversion of existing stables to maintenance/storage sheds associated with caravan site use, erection of buildings comprising site amenities building, reception/warden accommodation building and electricity sub-station, refuse/gas storage/collection areas, hard surfaced areas for access, parking, storage & site servicing purposes and landscaping

Land At North Of Bewick Drift, Cresswell, Northumberland

An introduction to the application was provided by J Murphy, Area Development Manager with the aid of a power point presentation.   She advised that the application had been withdrawn from the June Committee in order to allow the applicant to provide additional information which had now been received.

T Carter, agent on behalf of the applicant addressed the Committee speaking in support of the application.  His comments included the following:-

·       Planning officers were thanked for a professional, thorough and balanced appraisal of the application.

·       The tourism enterprise has been made by a local business, who had contributed in the past and continued to contribute to the local area. This was a fantastic opportunity to put Lynemouth on the map through this welcomed tourism facility. The level of support the application has received confirmed this.

·       Significant weight had been given to the economic benefits of the proposed development, which would result in economic effects absorbed at the local and district wide levels resulting from both direct and indirect job creation and associated economic benefits.

·       It was expected that the proposal would create 4 jobs with a view to increasing employment opportunities as the site developed. Further to this, tourists would support nearby settlements of Lynemouth, Cresswell, Ellington and beyond.

·       This touring caravan site would yield an average annual expenditure of over half a million pounds. This would be distributed across those directly involved with the site and those living in the local and wider area, supporting existing business in Lynemouth and Cresswell such as the retailers, takeaways and other local businesses etc.

·       The Parish Council objected to the scheme in July last year. Since then, the applicant had worked with officers to address concerns, which centred on two main issues of highway safety and ecology, both of which had now been addressed. Ecologists and highways officers had accepted the proposals and had not raised objections. Further, the applicant would make a contribution of nearly £14000 towards the Coastal Mitigation Scheme.

·       In terms of residential amenity, the site was not close to housing to impact amenity and there was no evidence to suggest that holiday use would increase the rise of crime with no objections raised from Northumbria Police on this matter.

·       Although it was not anticipated that noise would be an issue, given the proposals were for a touring caravan site alone, and did not propose a clubhouse as such, the applicant had agreed to provide a noise management plan as requested by Environmental Health.

·       It was acknowledged that there would be a slight increase in traffic to the site but as highways officers had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Outline application with all matters reserved for up to four residential dwellings (Resubmission of 18/04275/FUL) (amended description)

Land To The Rear Of 51 Station Road, Station Road, Stannington, Northumberland

Outline application with all matters reserved for up to four residential dwellings (Resubmission of 18/04275/FUL) (amended description)

Land To The Rear Of 51 Station Road, Station Road, Stannington, Northumberland

T. Wood, Principal Planning Officer provided an introduction to the application with the aid of a power point presentation.

T. Hall addressed the Committee speaking in objection to the application on behalf of a group of residents.  His comments included the following:-

·       Between 2015 and 2018, 9 applications, 5 within the Green Belt had been approved for 73 houses which was an estimated 95% increased development rate which was excessive, disproportionate and unprecedented for a small village. This small application plus the remaining brownfield site would push that figure to 108%.

·       He questioned how a planning department could approve a plan in the Green Belt which immediately created a critical situation within the Green Belt, advising that the site was outside the inset boundary which should have altered them.

·       The last approval was August 2018 with all subsequent applications refused with NCC immediately and repeatedly acknowledging that development had reached a critical point with regard to the Green Belt.

·       This was a clear example of over-development, it should not have occurred and it can only be critical because an optimal point at which appropriate action should have been taken was not.

·       Contrary to the officer’s report this application contravened the Northumberland Local Plan (NLP) STP19(d) which stated that “small villages will support a proportionate level of development”.  Apparently 10% had originally been suggested but at a later stage was replaced by proportionate.  The structure of the NLP and social hierarchy clearly indicated that proportionate development would be significantly less than 108%.   In terms of proportionality,10% and 108% were irreconcilable. There was now a small village, not even in the social  hierarchy, with the largest relative contribution to development that any other location in Northumberland.

·       The officer’s report attempted to address objectors’ concerns of overdevelopment by stating that the inset boundary has defined the level of appropriate development, which was debatable as there was another version that the inset boundary was actually drawn around land sites that were mainly already approved prior to late 2016 and then around the Green Belt to be protected.

·       This was effectively an admission of overdevelopment because two developed sites, 19/0131 and 18/01044 were outside the inset boundary and therefore must be inappropriate.  If you used the boundary to define appropriate land areas for housing then you had already reached quota by developing twice outside the boundary which negated any future brownfield development. It was inconceivable that 108% would be considered appropriate when the 20 year target represented an increase of only 12% or 6% annually.  Where was the justification for more houses in a small already overdeveloped village when NCC were already 4 years ahead of plan, several years of housing land supply and a 20 year target slashed.

·       There was no supply/demand imperative and it appeared the application was being recommended for approval just because  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Installation of additional fencing for the purpose of maintaining security

King Edward Vi School , Cottingwood Lane, Morpeth, Northumberland

NE61 1DN

Installation of additional fencing for the purpose of maintaining security

King Edward Vi School , Cottingwood Lane, Morpeth, Northumberland

NE61 1DN

J Murphy, Area Development Manager provided an introduction to the report with the aid of a power point presentation, advising that the application had come to Committee for transparency reasons as it was a school application. 

Councillor Wearmouth proposed acceptance of the recommendation to approve the application as outlined in the report which was seconded by Councillor Darwin and following a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED for the reasons and subject to the conditions as outlined in the report.

Councillor Beynon left the meeting at this point.

Erection of timber frame building to form performing arts hub within school grounds to facilitate both school activities and wider community external groups, to include drama, dance and music, along with external toddler groups

Morpeth Stobhillgate First School, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2HA

Erection of timber frame building to form performing arts hub within school grounds to facilitate both school activities and wider community external groups, to include drama, dance and music, along with external toddler groups

Morpeth Stobhillgate First School, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2HA

J Murphy, Area Development Manager provided an introduction to the report with the aid of a power point presentation.  The update from Highways Development Management as outlined in paragraph 7.10 had been received and two further conditions were required to be added to any permission granted as follows:-

“The development to which this permission relates shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plan(s) referenced G700 Construction Phase Plan and Additional Information (Construction Method Statement) received on 21st July.

Reason:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning, and in order to achieve a satisfactory form of development in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies TRA1, TRA2 and TRA4 of the Northumberland Local Plan.”

“The development shall not be brought into final use until the proposed car parking bays indicated on the approved plans have been implemented in accordance with the approved plans.  Thereafter, the car parking bays shall be retained in accordance with the approved plans and shall not be used for any purpose other than the parking of vehicles associated with the development

Reason:  In the interests of highway safety, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy TRA4 of the Northumberland Local Plan.”

Councillor Wearmouth proposed acceptance of the recommendation to approve the application with the conditions as outlined in the report and additional conditions as above, which was seconded by Councillor Darwin and following a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED for the reasons and subject to the conditions as outlined in the report and additional conditions as above.

Construction of single storey extension and perimeter walls to courtyards

Kyloe House, Netherton Park, Stannington, Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 6EF

Construction of single storey extension and perimeter walls to courtyards

Kyloe House, Netherton Park, Stannington, Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 6EF

S Milne, Senior Planning Officer provided an introduction to the application with the aid of a power point presentation.

Councillor Darwin proposed acceptance of the recommendation to approve the application as outlined in the report which was seconded by Councillor Wearmouth and following a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED for the reasons and subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

For Members’ information to report the progress of planning appeals.  This is a monthly report and relates to appeals throughout all 5 Local Area Council Planning Committee areas and covers appeals of Strategic Planning Committee. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.