Agenda and minutes

None.

Apologies were received from Mrs S Askin, Mr J Baker and Mr R J Sutton.

The Council has put in place arrangements which usually allow one speaker each on behalf of objectors, the applicant and supporters of applications to address the Committee.  Speakers are chosen from those who have made written representations and expressed a desire to speak at the time an application is advertised.  Where there are speakers, presentations are made as part of the consideration of each application.

None.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the erection of a  kiosk to support the existing sewage pumping station at Field House Farm Barns, Thicknall Lane, Clent, Stourbridge, Worcestershire.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site, consultations and representations.

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning's comments in relation to the Green Belt, the location of the development, landscape character and the local area, residential amenity, water environment/flood risk, traffic and highway safety and ecology.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that the applicant had demonstrated very special circumstances to justify the ancillary development of a kiosk in the Green Belt in accordance with the NPPF and Policy WCS 13 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy. The location of the proposal was in accordance with Policy WCS 3 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

Given the size, siting and design of the proposed kiosk, the Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that the sympathetic nature of the scheme would have no adverse impact on the character or appearance of the local area including the nearby Listed Building's in accordance with Policy WCS 12 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

There would be no adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties or the surrounding area in accordance with Policy WCS 14 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

On the basis that the proposal was 'water compatible' infrastructure development and subject to the imposition of a condition to protect the watercourse, the proposal accorded with Policy WCS 10 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and would not have any adverse effects on the water environment or increase the risk of flooding in the area.

The planning application would not have any detrimental impact on highway safety in accordance with Policy WCS 8 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

Subject to the imposition of conditions to prevent ingress of wildlife and disturbance of the adjacent habitats, the proposed development would have no detrimental impact on any protected species or biodiversity in accordance with Policy WCS 9 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policy WCS 1; Policy WCS 3; Policy WCS 8; Policy WCS 9; Policy WCS 10; Policy WCS 11; Policy WCS 12; Policy WCS 13; Policy WCS 14 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy Development Plan Document and Policy DS2; Policy DS13; Policy ES1 and Policy ES3 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan, it was considered that the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         It was reported that no comments had been received from the local councillor

·         The kiosk was small in scale, had a demonstrated need and should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 873.

The Committee considered a County Matter application for the construction of a Reed bed Treatment System at Hartlebury Landfill Site, Whitlenge Lane, Worcestershire.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site, consultations and representations.

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning's comments in relation to the Green Belt, the location of the development, landscape character, residential amenity, water environment/flood risk, traffic and highway safety, and ecology.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that the applicant had demonstrated very special circumstances for this ancillary development to justify its location in the Green Belt. Furthermore, it was considered that the locational need together with the wider environmental and economic benefits of the proposed reed bed treatment system was in accordance with PPS 10 in terms of locating Waste Management Facilities in the Green Belt.

The proposed development was considered to be essential infrastructure associated with the landfill site and, therefore, in accordance with the Policy WCS 3 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy, the proposed location for the development was considered to be acceptable.

There would be no unacceptable adverse impact on the landscape character in accordance with Policy WCS 12 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy, subject to a condition requiring details of the design, colour and materials of the proposal.

There would be no adverse impact on health grounds given that Public Health England had no objections to the proposal on health grounds.

There would be no adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties or the surrounding area subject to the imposition of a condition to control the noise levels arising from the development, in accordance with Policy WCS 14 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

The proposal would not have any adverse effects on the water environment and the planning application accorded with Policy WCS 10 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Policy ENV19 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

The proposal accorded with Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Local Plan which required the efficient operation of the transport network, in accordance with Policy WCS 8 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Local Plan and would not have a detrimental impact on highway safety.

The proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on any protected species or biodiversity, in accordance with Policy WCS 9 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Policy ENV6 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees, members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policy WCS 1; Policy WCS 3; Policy WCS 8; Policy WCS 9; Policy WCS 10; Policy WCS 11; Policy WCS 12; Policy WCS 13; Policy WCS 14 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy Development Plan Document and Policy GD2; Policy SR7; Policy ENV1; Policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 874.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and County Planning General Regulations 1992 for planning permission for the carrying out of development pursuant to planning permission reference number 603451 dated 28 February 2007 without complying with condition 2 of that permission so as to allow the retention of 14 temporary classrooms for two years at Wolverley C of E Secondary School, Blakeshall Lane, Wolverley, Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site, consultations and representations.

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning's comments in relation to the Green Belt, listing building and conservation area, landscape character, residential amenity and other matters.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that in principle retaining the temporary classrooms for a further two years was acceptable to allow the refurbishment of the main school buildings to take place which would provide permanent accommodation for the pupils at the school.

A planning condition should be attached to the planning permission limiting the retention of the 14 temporary classrooms for two years and requiring a scheme to be submitted for the reinstatement of the land.

Very special circumstances existed to justify this development in the Green Belt in accordance with the NPPF, Policies GB.1, GB.2 of the Wyre Forest Local Plan and Policy SAL.UP1 of the Wyre Forest Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan. In view of this, the proposal would have no detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the locally listed buildings within the site in accordance with CP11 of the Wyre Forest District Core Strategy.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning did not consider that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the landscape in accordance with CP12 of the Wyre Forest District Core Strategy.

There would be no adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties or the surrounding area in accordance with Policy CP07 of the Wyre Forest District Core Strategy.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policy GB.1; Policy GB.2 and Policy CA.1 of the Wyre Forest Local Plan; Policy CP02; Policy CP03;       Policy CP07; Policy CP11; Policy CP12 and Policy CP14 of the Wyre Forest District Core Strategy and Policy SAL.PFSD1; Policy SAL.DPL11; Policy SAL.DPL12; Policy SAL.UP6 and Policy SAL.UP7 of the Wyre Forest District Council Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) it was considered that the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         It was reported that the local councillor had no objection to the application

·         Should permission be granted, what would happen to the site at the end of the temporary two year permission period? The representative of the applicant explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 875.

The Committee considered the annual review of activities carried out by the County Council to discharge its duties under the Safety at Sports Grounds (SatSGs) and related legislation during 2013/2014.

The report set out the background of the safety at sports grounds legislation and the "Designated" stadiums and "Regulated Stands" in Worcestershire as designated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.  It set out details of the issuing of safety certificates and the Safety Advisory Groups and details of the annual review for Sixways Stadium, Worcester Warriors RFC, Aggborough Stadium, Kidderminster Harriers FC and Worcester FC, The Grandstand, Worcester Racecourse, and Victoria Ground, Bromsgrove Sporting FC.

The Planning and Regulatory Committee might wish to visit a sports ground on a match day. Worcester Racecourse was the only option during the summer, however from August until November all of the sport ground options were available. The Emergency Planning team would arrange a site visit to a sports ground venue for Committee members to see first-hand safety management practices in operation. This would necessitate giving the chosen ground(s) notice to arrange access for members.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         It was agreed that a site visit be arranged for members of the Committee to a sports ground to observe the safety management practices in operation during a match. The Emergency Planning Manager would arrange the itinerary for the visit

·         The local councillor for the division in which the Sixways Stadium was located expressed concerns about the ongoing parking issues outside the ground and the associated road safety implications. Together with the local parish council, he had tried to resolve the matter with the rugby club without any successful conclusion. The rugby club should be more pro-active in finding a solution, perhaps using the land opposite the venue as temporary parking arrangements on match days. These safety concerns needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency

·         In response to a query, the Emergency Planning Manager explained that Worcestershire County Cricket Ground and Worcester Arena fell outside the safety of sports grounds legislation. The exclusion of cricket grounds from the legislation was an anomaly that had been recognised by the government. The Council could not insist that either venue established a Safety Advisory Group however discussions were held with the cricket club and the University of Worcester encouraging the establishment of informal arrangements. 

RESOLVED that the 2013/14 Annual Review of activities carried out by the Council to manage and implement the Safety at Sports Grounds legislation be noted.