Agenda item

The application was for change of use of land from residential to play area for children's nursery.

The application would have normally been determined under the Council's Scheme of Delegation. However, it had been reported to the Planning Applications Committee by Councillor Emma McGrath, due to concerns that the proposal would be unneighbourly to the adjacent properties.

Members were advised of the following updates on the application:

“UPDATE

One further written representation has been received in support of the application for the following reasons, which have all been addressed in the Committee Report:

-       Any noise would only be for short periods on weekdays when the weather is good and mitigated by the high acoustic fencing;

-       The proposal would allow for the children to have a safe place outdoors to play together.

CORRECTIONS

Page 12, Para 7.4.4 (4^rd sentence) should read: ‘…Currently the site’s boundary with School Lane has a low height picket fence…’ ”.

As the application triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Mr Edward Carriss and Mr Mark Sheridan spoke in objection to the application.

Some Members were concerned as to the resulting increase in noise of the proposal and the resulting negative impact on the amenity enjoyed by the neighbouring properties. A resulting amendment to the proposed condition 5 in the officer report was voted on and fell. However the committee agreed to change condition 5 in order to make it clear that the play space should not be used on bank holidays or at weekends.

In addition, also with the intention to protect the amenity enjoyed by the neighbouring properties, the committee amended condition 3 of the officer’s recommendation to dictate that the proposed acoustic fencing should also wrap around the electricity substation.

The officer recommendation to grant the application was proposed by Councillor Robin Perry, seconded by Councillor Cliff Betton, and put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED that application 21/002 be granted subject to the conditions in the officer report, as amended.

Note 1

It was noted for the record that Councillor Emma-Jane McGrath declared that some of the neighbours to the application site came into her shop.

Note 2

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

Voting in favour of the recommendation to grant the application:

Councillors Peter Barnett, Cliff Betton, Paul Deach, Mark Gordon, Edward Hawkins, Charlotte Morley, Robin Perry, Darryl Ratiram, John Skipper, Graham Tapper and Helen Whitcroft.

Voting against the recommendation to refuse the application:

Councillors Graham Alleway, Emma-Jane McGrath and Valerie White.