Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming new Members to the Committee. He then wished to formally record the Committee’s sincere thanks and appreciation to retiring Members; some of whom had also left the Council. In particular he commended former Councillor Richard Hands. Mr.Hands had served on Sefton Council for 35 years, first being elected in 1986. During his terms of office, he had frequently served on the Planning Committee. His experience and contribution, that he brought to the Committee, were appreciated and will be missed.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pugh, Dodd (Substitute Member), and Roche.

Members are requested at a meeting where a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest arises, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests, todeclare any interests that relate to an item on the agenda.

Where a Member discloses a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, he/she must withdraw from the meeting by switching their camera and microphone off during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest, except where he/she is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of a dispensation.

Where a Member discloses a personal interest he/she must seek advice from the Monitoring Officer or staff member representing the Monitoring Officer by 12 Noon the day before the meeting to determine whether the Member should withdraw from the meeting room, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest or whether the Member can remain in the meeting or remain in the meeting and vote on the relevant decision.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April, 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April, 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer, recommending that the above application for Construction of a 3G synthetic turf pitch with associated sports fencing, spectator area, sports lighting and earth mound, be approved subject to conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the item the Committee received a representation from Mr.Daley in respect of a petition objecting to the application.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved subject to conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report and Late Representations and  the application be referred to the National Planning Casework Unit for the reasons stated within the report.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer, recommending that the above application for outline planning permission for the erection of a two-storey block of up to 12 flats with associated parking following demolition of The Lathom and adjacent garages with access, layout and scale applied for at this stage, and with appearance and landscaping reserved for future consideration, be approved subject to conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the item the Committee received a representation from Mr.Metcalfe in respect of a petition objecting to the application and a response from the applicant Mr.Corrigan.

The Committee also received a representation from Councillor Cummins, Ward Councillor, in objection to the application.

Members were concerned about the living conditions for future residents particularly with the likely growth in Port of Liverpool traffic along Princess Way. While air quality standards might be met now, they considered these could be breached before long as a result of the growth in traffic. Members were concerned about the impact of poor air quality on the health of residents.  They did not think that dependence on mechanical ventilation would provide an acceptable living environment for future residents.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be not approved and the application be refused for the reason:

“The location of the proposed flats would expose future residents to poor air quality. Although pollution levels are just below national standards at present it is likely that they would still have a negative impact on the health of residents, particularly those with underlying health issues. It is anticipated that the growth of vehicular traffic on Princess Way would further deteriorate local air quality. As mechanical ventilation would be required to the whole building this would inhibit the ability of future residents to fully open windows resulting in unsatisfactory living conditions. The proposal therefore fails to comply with policy EQ4 of the Sefton Local Plan.”. 

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer, recommending that the above application for the erection of a two storey extension to front, side and rear with first floor rooftop terrace and second floor balcony and a dormer extension at the rear involving alterations to the elevations of the dwellinghouse, be approved subject to conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the item the Committee received a representation from Dr.Gonzales-Martin in respect of a petition objecting to the application and a response from Mr.P.Hardwicke on behalf of the applicant.

Members were concerned that the size and design of the proposed extensions and alterations would be out of kilter with the original dwelling and the surrounding area and would fail to comply with the Council’s policy and guidance on house extensions.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be not approved and the application be refused, for the reason:

“The proposal by virtue of its scale and design is an excessively large and disproportionate addition out of keeping with the original dwelling and its surroundings. It would therefore not comply with Policy HC4 and the House Extensions SPD.”

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer, recommending that the above application for the construction of a 3G artificial football pitch and widening of the site entrance, be approved subject to conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the item be deferred for the reason:

“To request the applicant to submit a Noise Assessment.”

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer, recommending that the above application for the variation of condition 2 pursuant to planning permission DC/2018/00658 approved 27/3/2019 to amend the approved layout plan to allow the inclusion of a foul water pumping station, be approved subject to conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Committee received a representation from Councillor Bennett, Ward Councillor, in objection to the application and a response from Messrs. Taylor and Powlson on behalf of the applicant.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted, subject to the conditions, and signing of a section 106 legal agreement, and for the reasons stated or referred to within the report.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer

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