Agenda and minutes

Venue: Meeting Space - Block 1, Floor 2 - County Hall. View directions

Contact: Rebecca Little 

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Items
No. Item

102.

PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED AT A PLANNING COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

          RESOLVED that this was noted.

103.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: Bridgett, Castle and Mather

 

104.

DISCLOSURE OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required to disclose any personal interest (which includes any disclosable pecuniary interest) they may have in any of the items included on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council on 4 July 2012, and are reminded that if they have any personal interests of a prejudicial nature (as defined under paragraph 17 of the Code Conduct) they must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room. NB Any member needing clarification must contact the monitoring officer by email at monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk . Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

Minutes:

Councillor Hunter advised that she was the Clerk for Beadnell Parish Council but had taken no part in the discussion at the Parish Council for agenda item 9 and would be taking part in the debate and vote.

 

Councillor Clark advised the committee that he had a personal interest in items 6 and 7 of the agenda and would be leaving the room and taking no part in determination of the applications. 

 

Councillor Watson advised that he had applied for the Tree Prevention Order - item 10 on the agenda and would not take part in any discussion or vote and would leave the room whilst it was being discussed.

 

105.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 455 KB

Minutes of the meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council held on Thursday 20 January 2022, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.  

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council held on Thursday, 20 January 2022 as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.? 

 

106.

DETERMINATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS pdf icon PDF 125 KB

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 no longer circulated with the agenda but are available on the Council’s website at  http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Planning.aspx

 

Minutes:

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.

 

It was noted that item 6 and 7 would be introduced and presented as the same application but would be debated and voted on separately.

 

RESOLVED that this was noted.

 

 

Councillor T. Clark left the room.

 

107.

21/03038/VARYCO pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) pursuant to planning permission 20/0138/FUL for minor change to design of windows of new build hotel and updating of information to reflect the proposed treatment of windows on existing building.
Duchess High School Annexe, 2 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1LZ

Minutes:

Councillor Patterson arrived after D. Love had began the presentation, the presentation was restarted to allow Councillor Hunter to take part in the debate and subsequent vote

 

 

D. Love – Senior Planning Officer, addressed the committee and gave the following updates:

 

·       The Independent examination of the Northumberland Local Plan (NLP) had concluded, and the inspector considered that subject to a number of recommended Main Modifications, the NLP was “sound” and provided an appropriate basis for the planning of the County. The plan was on the final stage of preparation, with no unresolved objections. The plan was consistent with the national policy, therefore significant weight could be given to the policies in the NLP.

·       Paragraph 7.5 on both reports read “The principle of replacing historic windows is accepted where it can be demonstrated that there is some benefit to the building for doing so”. Although the act provided generalised support in principle for sustainable development, the loss of historic windows in a listed building and replaced with modern replicas would be assessed on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether removing the windows would be harmful to the building’s significance.

 

Following the PowerPoint presentation, it was explained that applications 21/03038/VARYCO and 21/03039/VARYCO were both recommended for refusal with R. Kain – Built Heritage and Design Officer, explaining that the building was 225 years old, with Georgian windows which should be retained and repaired.

 

It was noted the Councillor Swinburn arrived during the presentation and would not be able to take part in any debate or vote for applications 21/03038/VARYCO and 21/03039/VARYCO

 

Guy Munden, spoke in support of the application and gave the following information to the committee:

·       The original planning application for the development was submitted in April 2020 and approved in April 2021.

·       The original scheme was intended to repair the existing windows where possible.

·       When the building was a school, it had lacked proper maintenance and the building was in urgent need of repair, as windows had been vandalised and dry rot had spread significantly.

·       The windows were beyond repair as dry rot had spread to the original window frames.

·       The replacement window frames were proposed to be a like-for-like hand-made timber frame, replicating the exact form of the historic windows.

·       The replacement glass would be cylinder glass, replicating the reflective quality of the historic glass.

·       Secondary glazing was deemed inappropriate as would cause greater harm to the internal appreciation of the building.

·       Double glazing would improve the thermal efficiency of the building.

·       The benefits of the site included: bringing back into use a vacant Listed Building, tourism, investment into the local economy and numerous job opportunities.

 

 

Following members questions to the Planning Officers and the Built Heritage Officer, the following information was provided:

 

·       The building had many of its original shutters, but officers were unable to confirm if they were in working condition.

·       Some of the windows on the rear of the building were showing signs of dry rot however the Built and Heritage Officer did not agree  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

108.

21/03039/VARYCO pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Variation of conditions 2 (approved plans) and 3 (window treatment) pursuant to planning permission 20/01239/LBC for minor change to design of windows of new build hotel and updating of information to reflect the proposed treatment of windows on excisting building.
Duchess High School Annexe, 2 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1LZ

 

Minutes:

An introduction to the report had been provided as part of the previous application. 

 

Councillor Hill proposed to support the officers recommendation to refuse the application and this was seconded by Councillor Seymour.

 

A vote was taken as follows: FOR 4; AGAINST 3, ABSTAIN 1.

 

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED as the proposal would lead to “less than significant harm” to a Grade II listed heritage asset and it had not been demonstrated as necessary or justified. The proposal would not therefore accord with the Core Strategy Policy S15, advice from Historic England or the paragraph 202 of the NPPF and plan or paragraph 196 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The proposes would also be contrary to sections 16(2) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

 

 

Councillor T. Clark then returned to the meeting.

 

109.

21/03766/FUL pdf icon PDF 225 KB

Resubmission: Proposed front and rear pitched roof dormers.
41 George Street, Amble, NE65 0DW

Minutes:

T. Lowe – Principal Planning Officer, addressed the committee and gave the following updates:

 

·       The Independent examination of the Northumberland Local Plan had concluded, and the inspector considered that subject to a number of recommended Main Modifications, the NLP was “sound” and provided an appropriate basis for the planning of the County. The plan was on the final stage of preparation, with no unresolved objections. The plan was consistent with the national policy, therefor significant weight could be given to the policies in the NLP.

·       Officers had assessed the proposal against the policies of the Local Plan and confirmed that the change in weight of the Plan did not result in a change to the recommendation.

 

Following a Powerpoint presentation, the Planning Officer confirmed that no other houses on the street had dormers and that the conservation officer had not been consulted.

 

Councillor Clark proposed to accept the officers recommendation to approve the application, which was seconded by Councillor Watson.

 

A vote was taken as follows: FOR 9; AGAINST 0, ABSTAIN 1.

 

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

 

110.

21/03848/FUL pdf icon PDF 386 KB

Construction of a single storey front extension.
Beach Lea Bungalow, 67 Longstone Park, Beadnell, Chathill, Northumberland, NE67 5BP

Minutes:

T. Lowe – Principal Planning Officer, addressed the committee and gave the following updates:

 

·       The Independent examination of the Northumberland Local Plan had concluded, and the inspector considered that subject to a number of recommended Main Modifications, the NLP was “sound” and provided an appropriate basis for the planning of the County. The plan was on the final stage of preparation, with no unresolved objections. The plan was consistent with the national policy, therefor significant weight could be given to the policies in the NLP.

 

Geoff Martindale, spoke on behalf of the Beadnell Parish Council and gave the committee the following information:

 

·       The application site was part of 36, L-shaped chalets in Longstone Park.

·       At the time of construction, the chalets were subject to an agreement, dated 25 June 1968 between the estate developers and Northumberland County Council, prohibiting the erection of any building or structure on the amenity areas.

·       The AONB Officer had not been consulted on the Sunrise Cottage planning application but had been consulted on the Beach Lea Bungalow, which they did not support.

·       The Parish Council were concerned that a precedent was set by Sunrise Cottage.

 

Following questions from members to the Planning Officers, the following information was provided:

 

·       The planning officer did not agree with the AONB Officer, explaining that the visual impact was acceptable due to the application being a small extension and it would not impact the wider area.

·       No additional car parking would be required.

 

Councillor Renner- Thompson proposed to refuse the application, based on policy 5 of the North Northumberland Coast Neighbourhood Plan, stating the application failed to respect the local context and character of the area. This was seconded by Councillor Seymour.

 

A vote was taken as follows: FOR 8; AGAINST 1, ABSTAIN 1.

 

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED.  

 

 

Councillor Watson left the room.

 

111.

NEW TREE PRESERVATION ORDER: PKT 0686 pdf icon PDF 239 KB

New Tree Preservation Order: ‘The Northumberland County Council (Land to the west of Gloster Meadows, Amble, Northumberland) Tree Preservation Order 2021 (No. 02 of 2021)
Land to the West of Gloster Meadows, Amble (nearest postcodes: NE65 0GA / NE65 0GB)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

T. Lowe – Principal Planning Officer, introduced the preservation order and informed members that there had been an error in the report regarding paragraph numbers.

 

Following the presentation, members were informed that a public right of way did not affect any tree preservation orders.

 

Councillor Thorne proposed to move the officer’s recommendation to approve the Tree Preservation Order, which was seconded by Councillor Patterson.

 

A vote was taken and was unanimous, it was:

 

RESOLVED that it was recommended that the Tree Preservation Order was confirmed with modification.

 

 

Councillor Watson re-joined the meeting.

 

112.

APPEALS UPDATE pdf icon PDF 195 KB

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. 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that this was noted.

 

113.

SECTION 106 pdf icon PDF 164 KB

For Members’ information to report the agreement monitoring and collection of s106 contributions in the planning process.  This is a monthly report and relates to agreements throughout Northumberland during the previous monthly period.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that this was noted.

 

 

A comfort break was announced to allow officers to change over.

 

114.

LOCAL TRANSPORTS PLAN PROGRAMME 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 276 KB

The report sets out the details of the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment by the Local Area Council, prior to final approval of the programme by the Interim Executive Director of Planning and Local Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A comprehensive introduction to the report was provided by P Jones, Service Director, Local Services with R McCartney, Infrastructure Manager also in attendance.  The report set out the details of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment by the Local Area Council prior to final approval of the programme by the Interim Executive Director of Planning and Local Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services.  

 

In response to questions from Members the following information was noted: 

 

·       Northumberland County Council was oversubscribed in the level of demand for schemes to be included in the programme compared to the funding allocated.

·       There had been additional funding of £2 million made available to undertake an additional programme of maintenance schemes on U&C roads and footways, as part of the County Councils Medium-Term Financial Plan.

·       Schemes that were in the 2021-22 LTP that had not been delivered, would roll forward and would be completed during the 22-23 LTPP using the previously allocated monies.

·       EV chargers had a separate funding allocation.

 

Members requested a report to be presented to the North Northumberland Local Area Council in three or four months on progression of members small schemes and the timescales for completion.

 

Members thanked Paul and the team for their continued hard work.

 

RESOLVED that this was NOTED

 

115.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council is scheduled for Thursday, 24 March 2022 at 3.00 pm.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that this was noted.