Agenda item

The application was for advertisement consent for the erection of one non-illuminated car park sign on each of the six car parks serving Chobham Common (retrospective).

The application would have normally been determined under the Council's Scheme of Delegation. However, it had been reported to the Planning Applications Committee at the request of Councillors Pat Tedder and Victoria Wheeler, due to the inappropriate nature of advertising within the Green Belt.

Members were advised of the following update on the application:

“A response has been received from the Surrey Wildlife Trust stating that they have no ecological comment or advice to make.”

As this application had triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Ms Sally Blake and Mr Darren Rees spoke in objection to the application.

Members felt the proposed signs would result in inappropriate levels of dominance for the Greenbelt. Concerns were also held in respect of the proposed signs’ materials and colour and their impact on visual amenities. Members had reservations as the application site had been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area.

As there was no proposer and seconder for the officer’s recommendation, an alternative recommendation to refuse the application, for the reasons below, was proposed by Councillor Victoria Wheeler and seconded by Councillor Morgan Rise. The recommendation was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED that

                      I.        Application 19/0294 be refused for the reasons following:

·      Impact on visual amenities

·      Dominance and Scale

·      Conflict with greenbelt location and nature conservation classifications.

                     II.       The reasons for refusal be finalised by the Executive Head of Regulatory in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Planning Applications Committee.

Note 1

It was noted for the record that:

                          I.       Councillor Victoria Wheeler declared that:

a)        she was a Member of the Chobham Society, who had made a formal representation on the application;

b)        had discussed the application with residents; and

c)         knew one of the public speakers on the application.

                        II.       All members of the Committee had received letters of objection in respect of the application

Note 2

Voting in favour of the recommendation to refuse the application:

Councillors Peter Barnett, Cliff Betton, Sarah Jane Croke, Colin Dougan, Shaun Garrett, Sam Kay, David Lewis, Emma McGrath, Darryl Ratiram, Morgan Rise, Graham Tapper, Victoria Wheeler and Valerie White.

Voting in abstention of the recommendation to refuse the application:

Councillor Charlotte Morley