Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mahon, Tweed and Brennan.

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.

No declarations of interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October, 2009

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the conversion of former Gymnasium to 6 flats and alterations to the front elevation be refused for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED:

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

The Planning and Economic Regeneration Director advised that this application had been withdrawn by the applicant.

RESOLVED:

That the following applications be approved, subject to:-

(i)       the conditions (if any) and for the reasons stated or referred to in the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director’s report and/or Late Representations 1 and 2; and

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

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for a change of use to a canine hydrotherapy centre to include a dog grooming salon be refused for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Councillor Ibbs, as Ward Councillor, made representations in support of the application.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of this item be deferred to allow Members to undertake a site visit.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director

The Committee considered the report of the Environmental Protection Director that advised of the air quality issues arising from the increasing use of biomass boilers in Sefton and made recommendations for a policy approach to minimise their impact.

The report explained that there was a requirement for 10% of the energy of large developments (> 1000 m³) to be generated by on site renewables.  This requirement was leading to a significant increase in the number of biomass boilers within the Borough.  Biomass combustion could have an adverse effect on local air quality and it was therefore necessary for the Council to develop a policy to reconcile the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the need to protect local air quality.

A copy of the draft guidance was attached as an annexe to the report.

RESOLVED:

That the draft guidance, as detailed within the report and annexe 2, be approved.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the progress of the Local Development Framework by monitoring a range of indicators.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Annual Monitoring Report 2009 be noted;

(2)      the Cabinet be recommended to approve the document for submission to the Government Office North West; and

(3)      the Cabinet be recommended to delegate authority to the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director to:-

·  Make editorial changes relating to layout and presentation

·  The addition of late information

·  Make changes recommended by GONW prior to submission of the AMR.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that sought approval for the Green Space and Recreation Study and Playing Pitch Strategy, which formed part of the evidence for the Core Strategy.  The Green Space and Recreation Study also formed part of the evidence for the corporate Green Space Strategy for Sefton (2008). 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet be recommended to approve:-

(1)      Green Space and Recreation Study; and

(2)      Playing Pitch Strategy.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that provided information on the enforcement workload for the July to September quarter 2009 and provided an update on the progress of cases where formal action had been taken / authorised.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the volume of enforcement activity and progress, as detailed within the report, be noted;

(2)      the areas of outstanding work, as detailed within the report, and the action being taken be noted; and

(3)      Officers be thanked for their hard work and diligent service under challenging circumstances.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that provided information on the Department’s performance in dealing with planning applications, appeals, and related matters for the third quarter of 2009.

RESOLVED:

That the Development Control Performance report and attached schedules be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that sought authority to carry out works in default in respect of non compliance with a notice under the terms of Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to the following property – 23 Hillcrest Road, Crosby.

RESOLVED:

That the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be authorised to execute the works required by the Section 215 notices in respect of the property at 23 Hillcrest Road, Crosby, pursuant to Section 219 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, subject to the necessary funding being provided by the WNF (Working Neighbourhoods Fund).

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that sought authority to carry out works in default in respect of non compliance with a notice under the terms of Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to the following property within the Seaforth/Waterloo HMRI area – 13-15 Seaforth Road, Seaforth.

RESOLVED:

That the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be authorised to execute the works required by the Section 215 notices in respect of the property at 13-15 Seaforth Road, Seaforth pursuant to Section 219 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, subject to the necessary funding being provided by Step Clever and WNF(Working Neighbourhoods Fund)..

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the results of the undermentioned appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the results of appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate be noted.