Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillors G A Boulter, F S Broadley, D A Gamble, J Kaufman and Dr T K Khong.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 4 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

Councillors Miss A R Bond, Mrs S B Morris and M L Darr substituted for Councillors Dr T K Khong, G A Boulter and J Kaufman, respectively.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 17 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

RESOLVED THAT: 

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 12 May 2016 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule 24 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (at pages 13 - 23), together with the supplementary agenda update (at pages 1 - 3), as delivered and summarised by the Interim Planning Control Manager which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Chair commended the work of the Building Control Surveyor.

The Chair moved the recommendations en bloc as set out at paragraphs 2.1 to 2.3 of the report (at page 13).

The Vice-Chair seconded the recommendations.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)        The Revised Scale of Fees and Charges be approved;

(ii)       The Revised Scale of Fees and Charges be operated with immediate effect; and

(iii)      The relevant Officers continue their efforts to achieve an equitable “cost-recovery” when charging or re-charging each case.

The Committee gave consideration to the reports and appendices (at pages 24 - 45) as delivered and summarised by the Arboricultural Officer which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall moved the recommendation as set out at paragraph 2 of the report (at page 24).

Councillor Mrs S B Morris seconded the recommendation.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Borough Council of Oadby & Wigston (Land at 18 Newgate End, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 2GG) Tree Preservation Order 2016 be provisionally confirmed.

Councillor R E R Morris noted the imminent danger posed to the trees in question and supported the Order’s confirmation, accordingly.

Councillor Mrs S B Morris moved the recommendation as set out at paragraph 2 of the report (at page 30).

Councillor D M Carter seconded the recommendation.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Borough Council of Oadby & Wigston (Land at Grand Hotel, Canal Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 4PP) Tree Preservation Order 2016 be confirmed.

Councillor R E R Morris noted the high volume of public interest received in respect of the trees in question and supported the Order’s confirmation, accordingly.

Councillor R E R Morris moved the recommendation as set out at paragraph 2 of the report (at page 39).

Councillor Mrs S B Morris seconded the recommendation.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Borough Council of Oadby & Wigston (Land at Rear of Saffron Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 4UN) Tree Preservation Order 2016 be confirmed.

With reference to the supplementary agenda update (at pages 1 - 2), the Chair confirmed that the following applications were withdrawn from the consideration of this meeting of the Committee:-

1.   Application No. 12/00435/CLE – Beaumont Hall, Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 2NA

2.   Application No. 12/00437/CLE – Stamford Hall, Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 2NG

3.   Application No. 16/00024/FUL – 39 Long Street, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 2AJ

4.   Application No. 16/00163/FUL – 205 Wigston Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5JF

The Interim Planning Control Manager summarised the planning application (at pages 70 - 74). He reported that the reduction in the size of the dormers on the front and side elevations of the building had since negated previous grounds for refusal of planning permission and that, in turn, the revised application did not in the public interest warrant a further refusal upon material planning considerations.

The Vice-Chair disapproved of the application’s design. She requested that a condition be added to restrict access to the flat-roofed areas for use as a terrace or balcony to mitigate the potential for overlooking on neighbouring properties.

The Interim Planning Control Manager advised that the requested condition was incorporated into the recommendation at condition 4 (at page 74).

The Vice-Chair moved the application for approval of planning permission as set out in the report (at pages 74-75).

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall disapproved of the application’s design. She opined that the proposed building’s front and side elevations amounted to an over-intensification of development and impacted detrimentally upon the street-scene. She sought further clarification as to whether the application breached the 45 degree code.

The Interim Planning Control Manager advised that there was a negligible breach of the code however this did not properly warrant refusal of planning permission.

Councillor Miss A R Bond stated that she agreed with the representations made by the neighbours as set out in the report (at pages 71 - 72).

The Chair seconded the application for approval of planning permission.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be PERMITTED planning permission subject to condition(s).

Votes For                   6

Votes Against            3

Abstentions               3

5.   Application No. 16/00223/TPO – Hermitage Court, Honeywell Close, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5QQ

Councillor M H Charlesworth spoke upon the application as an objector.

The Member questioned the classification of the disputed hedgerow vis-a-vis tree(s) in question (by analogy to previous planning applications) and the ulterior motives behind the applicant’s submission of successive applications. He raised on objection to the approval of the proposed works, citing an inconsistency with the Landscape Proposal No. 1 of the Oadby and Wigston Local Plan, the loss of amenity value and the lack of enforceability of any replacement schedule.

The Arboricultural Officer summarised the application (at pages 76 - 78). He advised that the “trees” in question were planted, maintained and are species of an amenity hedgerow and, therefore, were excluded from the Leicestershire County Council Oadby (The Hermitage) Tree Preservation Order 1962 (“the 1962 TPO”). He reiterated that the recommendation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Interim Planning Control Manager advised the Committee that the recent cancellation of the Borough Tour scheduled for Friday, 08 July 2016 was to allow an opportunity for Members to provide direction as to what the itinerary should include and, once sought, the Borough Tour was to be organised and re-scheduled for a later date.

Members raised a number of suggestions which were duly noted.