Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillors B Dave, J Kaufman and Dr T K Khong.

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

None.

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'.

In respect of planning application number 16/00024/FUL, the Chair declared a non-pecuniary interest insofar he had been approached by an objector seeking to arrange a meeting to discuss the application but declined the request. The Chair confirmed that he attended the meeting without prejudice and with an open mind.

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

Members are advised that the Minutes of the Development Control Committee held on Thursday, 17 November 2016 shall stand as an item referred to the next meeting of the Committee due to be held on Thursday, 19 January 2017.

The Chair advised that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on on Thursday, 17 November 2016 were to stand as an item referred to the next meeting of the Committee due to be held on Thursday, 19 January 2017.

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 appendix (at pages 1 - 14) 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 1).

Councillor G A Boulter seconded the recommendation.

Councillors R E R Morris and D M Carter commended the Tree Preservation Order’s (TPO) confirmation on behalf of all Members and residents.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Borough Council of Oadby & Wigston (Land at Draper House, 51 Saffron Road, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 4UL) Tree Preservation Order 2016 be confirmed.

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

Mr Sanjay Mistry, Managing Director at SKM Design, spoke upon the application on behalf of the applicant. Mr Mistry stated additional work had been undertaken to render the application acceptable and discussions with the Trustees of the Kingdom Hall regarding access and design had been conducted. He said that the existing Working Men’s Club (WMC) building was in a significant state of disrepair. It was said that that the development sought to bring the site back into use with a scheme of residential dwellings together with garden areas and parking facilities. He noted that, other than the one representation received, on other objections had been raised.

Councillor R E Fahey entered the Chamber at 7:05 pm.

Mr Peter Hempill, Director Architect at Ark Designs, spoken upon the application on behalf of the Trustees of Kingdom Hall (“the Trustees”) as an objector. Mr Hempill stated that the Trustees sought a deferral of the application to allow adequate time to review the latest plan amendments. He opined that several errors had been made in the report, namely: the citing of clause 32 (clause 39) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to justify a shortfall in car parking could not be used to set aside, as opposed to setting, local parking standards; that the applicant had not engaged in any discussion or consultation of the current proposals with the Trustees and therefore had not considered the rights of the latter; there had been no dialogue or agreement with the Trustees regarding the change of purpose of the intended two-way access road considered to be unsafe; and obstructions to access of the Kingdom Hall site from insufficient car spaces in ratio to the number of dwellings.

The Committee gave consideration to a letter of representation tabled at the meeting and dated 15 December 2016 addressed to the Planning Officer from Ark Design.

Councillor M H Charlesworth spoke upon the application. He acknowledged that the site in question was in a state of disrepair however resisted the demolition of the existing WMC building described as one of the oldest in the country. He raised a concern as to the potential access obstruction to the Kingdom Hall resulting from the insufficient number of dwelling car parking spaces. It was said that the proposed buildings were not sympathetic to The Lanes Conservation Area (CA). The Member requested that, if Members were minded to grant planning permission, that: a condition be added to include a footpath; that condition 15 be better substantiated to prevent access obstruction during the construction phase; and the need for an access agreement between the applicant and Trustees prior to development.

The Chair advised Councillor R E Fahey he was not entitled to exercise his vote upon the application due to his lateness of arrival to the Chamber.

The Committee gave consideration to the application (at pages 38 - 49) as delivered and summarised by the Interim Planning Control Manager which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.