Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

Members are reminded that contacts about any planning applications on this agenda must, unless reported to this meeting by the Head of Planning and Regulation, be declared before the application is considered.

The Members named declared contact on the following applications as indicated:

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2017 were signed as a true record.

The Committee noted a tabled report which summarised late representations and responses on the following:

There are no outstanding issues.

There were no outstanding issues.

Report of the Head of Planning and Regulation

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Regulation detailing the above application for retention of first floor rear extension with juliet balcony and first floor side extension. The application was recommended for approval.

Councillor Blundell, a Wainbody Ward Councillor, attended the meeting and spoke in respect of his objection to the application. The applicant also attended the meeting and spoke in support of the application.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted in respect of Application HH/2017/2360 subject to conditions.

Report of the Head of Planning and Regulation

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Regulation detailing the above application for the extension and conversion to 14 bed house in multiple occupation. The application was recommended for approval.

The Late Representation document indicated that, prior to occupation of the accommodation, a waste management plan was required to be submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

Two registered speakers attended the meeting and spoke in respect of their objections to the application. The applicant’s representative also attended the meeting and spoke in support of the application.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted in respect of Application FUL/2017/2349 subject to conditions.

Report of the Head of Planning and Regulation

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Regulation detailing the above application for non-material amendment (changing colour of extraction flue) to permission FUL/2015/3518 for shopfront and extraction flue housing. The application was recommended for approval.

RESOLVED that a non material amendment be granted in respect of Application AD/2017/2803 subject to conditions.

Head of Planning and Regulation

The Committee noted a report of the Head of Planning and Regulation which provided an update on government planning fee increases.  A report on this would also be presented to the Cabinet Member for information.

Planning application fees were set nationally and the Government last increased the fees in 2012. 

Following the issue of White Paper: ‘Fixing our broken housing market’ the council received a letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in February 2017 offering to increase fees by 20%.  The letter requested a response from the council to confirm by the 14^th March 2017 that it will invest the additional income in the planning service for the life of the current parliament. 

The increase was the Government response to developers consistently telling them of the lack of capacity and capability in planning departments which was restricting their ability to get on site and build.  Alongside funding, local authorities were reporting to them the difficulties in recruiting and retaining planners and others with specialist skills.

The Council responded to the consultation within the specified time and confirmed the investment.

Regulations to introduce the 20% increase in planning fees were made on 20 December 2017, which meant that local planning authorities would be able to start applying the fee increase from 17^th January 2018. 

There were no other items of business.