Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gustafson and Preece.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were received:

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 August 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above application for the Change of Use of part of the site to a Waste Transfer Station including the erection of a metal framed/clad building for construction waste sorting be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above retrospective application for the layout of play equipment be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mrs. Eden on behalf of objectors against the proposed development.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report and in Late Representations, and subject to an amendment to the existing landscaping conditions requiring:

(i)         specific screening of the blue tunnel contained in the application from the view of Girton Ave and Quarry Rd, Bootle; and

(ii)        the addition of a boundary of trees along the Quarry Road boundary of the site.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above retrospective application for the erection of one pair of two two storey semi-detached dwellinghouses with dormers in the roof space fronting onto Queens Road (Alternative to S/2011/0708, approved 30/06/2011) be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Further to Minute No. 10 of 8 June 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above application for the approval of details reserved by Condition 33 attached to planning permission S/2011/298 granted 13 June 2011 be granted for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Condition had been included in the decision at the request of planning committee when they considered the application for development of the site.

Two options were submitted for consideration.  Option 2 related to a proposed traffic signal controlled junction, whereas Option 2A related to a priority controlled junction with no traffic lights.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mr. Adamson on behalf of objectors against the proposed installation of traffic lights and a response by the applicant’s agent, Mr. Williams.

Councillor Porter as Ward Councillor, made representations on behalf of objectors against the proposed development.

RESOLVED:

That the details reserved by Condition 33 attached to planning permission S/2011/298, including Option 2 relating to a traffic signal controlled junction be approved for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above application for the change of use of land to a non-hazardous waste recycling centre including the erection of a detached building for waste treatment and storage and a detached office building (alternative to S/2011/0153 withdrawn 24 May 2011) be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report and with a further condition requiring additional screening along the Bechers Business Centre boundary of the site in order to protect the amenity of those business’. 

(2)       the Head of Planning Services be requested to ensure that enforcement officers closely monitor the operation of the site and to submit a progress report on the operation of the site to this Committee in six months time.

N.B. Councillor Mrs. L. Cluskey wished her vote against the above decision to be recorded.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

RESOLVED:

That the following applications be approved, subject to:-

(i)         the conditions (if any) and for the reasons stated or referred to in the Head of Planning Services’ report and/or Late Representations (including the verbal update given regarding the indication from MEAS supporting the ecological survey in respect of application No. S/2011/0884); and

(ii)        the applicants entering into any legal agreements indicated in the report or Late Representations:

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services which advised that the undermentioned sites had been inspected by the Visiting Panel on 19 September 2011.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services informing members of the content of the Government’s consultation draft ‘National Planning Policy Framework’ (NPPF), and providing suggested comments on the consultation document.

Once finalised, the draft NPPF would formally replace all the existing Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) and Planning Policy Guidance notes (PPGs) and would cover the full range of planning policy.

Members discussed the report and the issues raised and it was suggested that the need to re use vacant homes and residential properties above shop premises should be included and that there should be more emphasis on renewable energy and climate change.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the key elements of the consultation draft ‘National Planning Policy Framework’ be noted;

(2)       the proposed consultation response as set out in the report be endorsed; and

(3)       the Head of Planning Services, and the officers involved in preparing the report and suggested comments on the consultation document be congratulated on the work carried out.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services informing members of the Treasury consultation proposing to scrap Land Remediation Relief, which had closed on 31^st August 2011, and setting out the  Sefton Council’s Officer response made to comply with the deadline for submission of responses.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the key points of the consultation be noted: and

(2)       the Sefton Council’s Officer response made to the consultation as now reported be endorsed.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services providing Members with an initial summary of consultation received to the Options stage of the Core Strategy and indicating a broad timetable for the next steps.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the initial results of the consultation following the Options Stage of the Core Strategy and the proposed next steps as now reported be noted; and

(2)       the Head of Planning Services, and the officers involved in carrying out the consultation on the Options Stage be congratulated on the work carried out.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services dealing with concerns which had been raised by residents, Councillors, the Police and individual Council departments in respect of a number of children’s homes within the borough. 

The issues raised had prompted a recognition that Members needed clarification in respect of the planning position, namely;

(i)         to establish the circumstances where planning permission was required, and

(ii)        if such permission was required, whether or not it was likely to be granted.

The complaints had primarily arisen as a result of anti-social activity, noise and disturbance and a proposed approach to dealing with these concerns by requiring those raising them to offer demonstrable evidence of the harm caused, in order for unauthorised uses to be pursued further and appropriate action taken was set out in the report. 

RESOLVED:

That the proposed approach to dealing with the concerns in respect of children’s homes by requiring those raising them to offer demonstrable evidence of the harm caused, in order for unauthorised uses to be pursued further and appropriate action taken, be endorsed. 

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Serviceson the results of the undermentioned appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.