Agenda item

The application was for the variation of condition 1 of planning permission SU/15/0494 to allow an increase in the number of children in attendance at the nursery school from 12 to 15.

The application would normally be determined under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. However, it was reported to the Planning Applications Committee at the request of Councillor Alan McClafferty.

Members were advised of the following updates:

An email response, with a revised drawing, has been received from the Agent.

In summary, the email indicates:

§    the negative nature of the pre-application advice which preceded the application [Officer comment: The pre-app response indicated that the Council raised concerns about the proposal and any application would need to be supported by a noise report and traffic statement ]

§    the availability of the Environmental Health comments on the web-site [Officer comment: A request was made to update the electronic file on the web-site]

§    the reasons why the application was called-in [Officer comment: The reasons were provided to the agent]

§    the lack of a pro-active approach with officers [Officer comment: As indicated above and in the officer report, the noise information was not satisfactory]

§    a request for a 12 month period permission so that the impact of the proposal can be monitored [Officer comment: it is the officer’s opinion that the application should have been supported by a noise report and the lack of such a report is fundamental in the assessment of the current application. Under such circumstances, officers do not agree with this request]

Resolved that application 16/0172 be refused for the reasons as set out in the report of the Executive Head – Regulatory.

Note 1

Councillor Colin Dougan declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as the owner of a nearby property and left the room during consideration of the application.

Note 2

As the application triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, the applicant, Mr Mike Sanderson spoke in support of the application. Mr R Grigson had been unable to attend to speak in objection , due to a family health issue. The Vice-Chairman, Councillor David Mansfield read a statement on Mr Grigson’s behalf.

Note 3

The recommendation to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor David Allen and seconded by Councillor Robin Perry.

Note 4

In accordance with Part 4 Section D paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting in relation to this application was as follows:

Voting in favour of the recommendation to refuse the application:

Councillors David Allen, Nick Chambers, Mrs Vivienne Chapman, Surinder Gandhum, Edward Hawkins, Ruth Hutchinson, Katia Malcaus Cooper, Max Nelson, David Mansfield, Robin Perry, Ian Sams, Conrad Sturt, and Victoria Wheeler.