Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L. Cluskey, Gustafson , Hands and Webster (Substitute Member).

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct, before leaving the meeting room during the discussion on that particular item.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above application for Part (A) the erection of 668 houses and apartments; an extra care development comprising of 126 homes and 44 bed respite and dementia care building; a unit comprising 216 sq m retail; associated hard and soft landscaping and new access and highways, and Part (B) Outline planning permission for a business park with uses B1, B2, B8 and Sui Generis car showroombe 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 Mr. Balshaw on behalf of objectors against the proposed development and a response on behalf of the applicant by Mr. Taylor.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report and in Late Representations and subject to completion of Section 106 Agreement covering the following:

-          The management and maintenance of all public open spaces, including the SuDS;

-          The delivery of affordable housing setting out tenures, rental levels nomination rights and the timing of delivery;

-          Limiting the age of occupancy for the Extra Care Village to over 55 only;

-          The commitment to working with BuildSefton to secure opportunities for Local Labour; and

-          A commuted sum payment towards improved capacity and safety at roundabout junction Off site highway works as required outside the Sefton borough.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above application for the erection of a single storey extension to the side to be used as a cafe in conjunction with the existing sandwich bar 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. Jones on behalf of objectors against the proposed development and a response by the applicant Mr. Carubia.

(As Mrs Jones had been unable to attend the Committee meeting at short notice, following discussion between the Head of Planning Services and Mrs Jones, the Chair agreed that in the exceptional circumstances her written statement could be read out at the meeting).

Members discussed the issues raised and in relation to the traffic issues were informed by the Director of Built Environment that proposals to introduce a loading ban at the junction of Bridge Road and Cavendish Road would be submitted to the next meeting of the Crosby Area Committee.

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 subject to an additional condition requiring the provision of obscure glazing on the Cavendish Road elevation of the proposed extension.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the above application for outline Planning Permission in respect of Access and Layout for the construction of a two storey detached dwellinghousebe 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 Councillor Shaw on behalf of objectors against the proposed development and a response by the applicant’s agent, Mr. Smith.

Members discussed the issues raised in particular regard to the width of the access to the site. The Head of Planning Services informed Members that whilst the access width was less than 3.5m this was felt to be adequate for a development of a single property only. The Director of Built Environment reported that given the length of the access it was unlikely that emergency service vehicles would require to use it, however 3m was sufficient width for such vehicles should this need arise.

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.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services recommending that the following applications for Planning Permission be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       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’s report and/or Late Representations; and

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

(2)       Application No. S/2012/0196, Units 6A - 9 Racecourse Retail Park Aintree be deferred for further investigation and consultation in relation to traffic issues surrounding the proposed use.

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 23 July 2012.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the sites inspected by the Visiting Panel be noted.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services giving details of a planning brief which had been prepared to guide development on land and buildings at the Promenade, Ainsdale, which were surplus to the Council’s requirements.

RESOLVED:

That the planning brief to guide development at Toad Hall and nos. 1-4 the Promenade, Ainsdale, to be used in a future sale of the site be approved.

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.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services giving an introduction to Neighbourhood Planning which was a new tier of statutory planning that had been introduced by the Localism Act 2011. It sat below the Local Plan (formerly the Core Strategy) in the Local Development Framework. Neighbourhood plans had to be aligned with the Local Plan.

A training session on Neighbourhood Planning had been held for Members prior to the meeting and a further session was proposed prior to the next meeting of this Committee. Members requested that any consultations with outside bodies be carried out once the training sessions had been completed. A Member also requested that Area Committees be involved in the process.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the content of National Planning Policy Framework relating to Neighbourhood Planning be noted;

(2)        the Head of Planning Services be requested to arrange for planning officers to attend Parish / Town Council and Area Committee meetings to explain the process and the benefits of Neighbourhood Planning and to establish levels of interest in progressing Neighbourhood Plans; and

(3)        further update reports on progress with Neighbourhood Plans be submitted to future meetings of this Committee as appropriate.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services which set out a transparent protocol for Planning Committee and ward members engaging in pre-application meeting organised by Planning Services.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the report be noted; and

(2)       the proposed procedures set out in the report be approved.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services giving an update to Members on the scope and progress of a ‘Consequences Study’ to inform the Sefton Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the scope and progress of the study be noted.

The Chair has agreed to consider this item as a matter of urgency in order that a decision can be made in accordance with timescales required by the Waste Local Plan adoption process.

Report of the Head of Planning Services

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment giving an update on the progress and outcomes of the public Examination process for the Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan to date and requesting approval of:

(i)         the main modifications to the Waste Local Plan required as a result of the Examination process; and

(ii)        the public consultation on the modifications required;

Finally the report set out the final stages to be completed prior to the proposed formal adoption of the Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan.

RESOLVED

That the Council be recommended to approve:-

         (i)      the modifications (both main and additional) to the Waste Local Plan;

         (ii)     public consultation on the modifications to the Waste Local Plan; and

         (iii)    a delegation of authority to District officers within the Waste Local Plan Steering Group to make necessary further minor and typographical changes to the Waste Local Plan prior to Council approval being sought for adoption.

The Chairman informed Members that the date of the next meeting of the Committee had been changed from that originally scheduled and the meeting would now take Place on Wednesday 29 August 2012, at the Town Hall Southport, commencing at 6.30 pm.