Issue - meetings

[NOTE: The Planning Officer advised the Committee of an update to the report; in paragraphs 41 and 42 the date should read 12 February 2020, not 2021.]

The Committee considered an application for the erection of two two-bedroom single storey dwellings with associated hard and soft landscaping following demolition of existing garage block.

Councillor S Hussain, Ward Councillor, commented that this site had been subject to many applications and he did not think the previous reasons for refusal had been overcome. He also commented that different inspectors had different outlooks on what was acceptable and what was not. Councillor S Hussain urged the Committee to consider refusal.

The Planning Officer advised Members that the last application on the site which had been refused by the Committee, had gone to appeal. Although the inspector dismissed the appeal it was only on the grounds of the legal issue. As such the previous reason for refusal had been overcome by way of appeal.

The Chairman queried whether any policies had changed since the last application and the Planning Officer confirmed that the NPPF had changed as reported earlier in the meeting, but there was nothing material that would affect this application.

Some Members were minded to refuse the application although Dan Freeland, cautioned them strongly against this as in light of the inspectors appeal decision it was highly likely that the Council would have costs awarded against them. It was also noted that costs tended to be significantly high in these matters. The inspector’s decision must carry significant weight.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the Chairman deemed that a division should be taken on approval of the application.  The votes for and against approval of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                           Cllrs D Hughes, L Morales (Chairman) and D Roberts.

                                 TOTAL:  3

Against:                              None

                                 TOTAL:  0

Present but not voting:      Cllrs J Brown, A Boote, S Dorsett, N Martin and C Rana.

                                 TOTAL:  5

The application was therefore approved.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions and S106 Agreement.