Agenda and minutes

The Chair referred to the sad passing of Councillor Paula Spencer on Wednesday 27 March 2024. The Committee stood in silence for a few moments as a mark of respect.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Tweed.

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.

In accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declaration of personal interest was made and the Member concerned remained in the room, but took no part in the consideration or voting on the item:

Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 March 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

Further to Minute 15 of 29 June 2022, the Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above application for the erection of 9 houses, together with a new vehicular access and associated works (part alternative to application reference DC/2017/00821) be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Chief Planning Officer reported that, in accordance with the previous decision of the Committee, the applicant had carried out a further traffic survey on Bankfield Lane in an attempt to address the highway issues raised at the previous Planning Committee meeting. This had been reviewed by the Council’s Highways Manager who had raised no objections and was satisfied that the proposal would not give rise to highway safety concerns.

Prior to consideration of the application the Committee heard a written representation[PF1] [NK2]  from Councillor Lloyd-Johnson as Ward Councillor against the proposed development.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be not approved and the application be refused for the reason that the proposed development does not comply with the site-specific requirements set out in Policy MN2 (site reference MN2.2) of the Local Plan which stipulates that there should only be one point of access.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above application for the change of use from a dwellinghouse (C3) to a children's home (C2) for up to 3 children 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 on behalf of objectors against the proposed development.

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved, subject to the signing of a Unilateral Undertaking that the applicant will in the first instance offer accommodation to children who are from, or with family, or have a long term connection to Sefton Borough, in consultation with Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education, (with the applicant being required to provide proof they have liaised with Sefton to place children and to give a reasonable time for Sefton to confirm) 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 refuse bins to be stored at the rear of the premises and only brought forward for collection.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above application for the change of use from a dwellinghouse (C3) to a children’s home (C2) for up to 3 children and associated works 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 on behalf of objectors against the proposed development and a response by the applicant’s agent.

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved, subject to the signing of a Unilateral Undertaking that the applicant will in the first instance offer accommodation to children who are from, or with family, or have a long term connection to Sefton Borough, in consultation with Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education, (with the applicant being required to provide proof they have liaised with Sefton to place children and to give a reasonable time for Sefton to confirm) 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 additional condition requiring refuse bins to be stored at the rear of the premises and only brought forward for collection.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above application for the change of use from a three-storey building comprising flats to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (19 units - 19 persons) (Sui Generis), a single storey extension to the rear, alterations to elevations and roof including conversion of existing lean to roof to hip roof to match existing roof 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 on behalf of objectors against the proposed development.

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be not approved and the application be refused for the reason that the proposed development represents over development and an intensification of use that would be out of keeping with the predominantly residential character of the area.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above application for the erection of 53 dwellings, construction of vehicular access, open space, landscaping, and associated infrastructure works 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 and in Late Representations and subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure financial contributions to mitigate the impact of recreational pressure on the Sefton Coast, agree details of affordable housing, a travel plan and employment and skills plan.

Further to Minute No. 148 of 13 March 2024, the Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above application for a Change of use from Class E to a drinking establishment (Sui Generis) with the provision of outdoor seating and live music be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Chief Planning Officer reported that, in accordance with the decision of the previous meeting, discussions had taken place with the applicant in an attempt to make the outside seating area a safer space for both customers using the outdoor space and pedestrians using the shopping parade. The applicant had submitted amended plans to show a revised layout of the seating area to be set away from the main entrance which would prevent pedestrians being forced to walk around the seating area closer to the junction and would allow them to freely move between the outside seating space and the main entrance. It was considered that this arrangement would help to improve the safety of pedestrians using the shopping parade.

Members discussed the proposed revisions to the outside seating area but continued to express concern in respect of highway safety issues in the area. Members discussed the possibility of the application operating without the outside seating area.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the application be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to enable the applicant to submit revised plans with the removal of the proposed outside seating area.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer.

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

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer which advised that the undermentioned sites had been inspected by the Visiting Panel on 8 April 2024.

RESOLVED:

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