Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    A copy of the summary presentations from public participants invited to speak (previously circulated);

C.   A copy of the revision to the conditions for Agenda item 7 – Blackwell First School (previously circulated);

D.   A plan showing an alternative site for the car park provided by Mrs King, the public participant for Agenda item 7 – Blackwell First School (circulated at the meeting); and

E.    The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2015 (previously circulated)

A copy of documents A-D will be attached to the signed minutes.

None.

Apologies were received from Mr J Baker and Mrs A Hingley.

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.

Those presentations made are recorded at the Minute to which they relate.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2015. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the proposed extension of an existing waste transfer building at Grove House Yard, Tewkesbury Road, Upton upon Severn, 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 Strategic Infrastructure and Economy's comments in relation to the waste hierarchy, location of the development, residential amenity, landscape character, water environment/flood risk, traffic and highway safety, and ecology and biodiversity.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the proposal meets the principle aim of Waste Planning Policy by moving waste up the waste hierarchy to achieve sustainable waste management. The location of the proposed development was justified as the proposed extension to the existing waste transfer station building and was, therefore, the most appropriate option in accordance with the Policy WCS 3 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

Given that the proposed waste management facility would be within an enclosed facility and on existing or allocated employment land, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed extension was compatible and in accordance with Policy WCS 6 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

Given that all the site operations would be carried out within the building and given the size, siting and design of the building and associated site screening, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposal would not have any significant detrimental impact on the amenities of the neighbouring residential properties, in accordance with Policy DS3 of the Malvern Hills District Local Plan.

Although, the proposed development would be visible from public view, given that the proposed development would be sited in the centre of an existing small industrial estate and would not exceed the height of the buildings and structures already sited there and notwithstanding the objection raised by Malvern Hills District Council, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure was satisfied that the proposal would not have any adverse impact on the landscape character of the area.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposal would have no adverse impacts on the water environment, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions and was, therefore, in accordance with Policy DS3 of the Malvern Hills District Local Plan.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development had no adverse impact on the highways safety of the local area, in accordance with Policy DS3 of the Malvern Hills District Local Plan.

Subject to the imposition of conditions relating to the above, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposal would have no adverse impact on the ecology and biodiversity of the local area and was, therefore, in accordance with Policy QL19 of the Malvern Hills District Local Plan.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 907.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the variation of condition 3, to increase annual throughput to a maximum of 5,000 tonnes and Condition 6, to extend the existing operational hours by one hour to 18:00 hours, Monday to Friday, of Planning Permission reference no. 13/000021/CM at A and S Skips, Arrow Road North, Lakeside, Redditch, 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 Strategic Infrastructure and Economy's comments in relation to residential amenity and traffic and highway safety. 

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that letters of representation had been received objecting to the proposal on operational and highways grounds. Worcestershire Regulatory Services and the County Highways Officer were consulted on the application and had raised no objections. Accordingly, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no adverse or detrimental impact upon the residential amenity of the surrounding area.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that there would be no adverse impact on highways safety and that the proposal was, therefore, acceptable on highways grounds.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Policies WCS 1, WCS 3, WCS 6, WCS 8, WCS 9, WCS 12 and WCS 14 of the adopted Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Saved Policies Policy B(BE).28 of the adopted Borough of Redditch Local Plan no. 3, it was considered the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

Mr Chadfield, an objector to the application addressed the Committee. He commented that the applicant was requesting a tenfold increase in throughput at the site from 500 to 5,000 tonnes. At present there were 10 HGV movements along Arrow Road North per day. This application would result in 100 vehicle movements per day. It was claimed that there would be no impact despite the site having a dangerous right hand turn onto Arrow Road North, being in close proximity to a number of schools and a subway which used by local residents and school children.  In addition, the "choose as you move" project had been promoted to encourage children to walk or cycle to school in the local area. Local residents had been misled into believing that the access to the site would be via Brook Street. 95% of the vehicles parked along Arrow Road North belonged to workers at the various commercial units in the area not local residents

Mr Vick, the agent acting on behalf of the applicant addressed the Committee. He commented that the original application submitted by the landowner on behalf of the prospective tenant of this site was for a throughput of material of 500 tonnes. This was a misinterpretation of the request by the prospective tenant which related to waste to landfill not throughput therefore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 908.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and County Planning General Regulations 1992 for planning permission for the proposed construction of a 3 classroom extension to existing first school to accommodate 1 form entry, together with construction of external timber store, hard play space and car parking area and relocation of existing temporary classrooms at Blackwell First School, St. Catherine's Road, Blackwell, Bromsgrove, 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 Strategic Infrastructure and Economy's comments in relation to the Green Belt, landscape character and appearance of the area, residential amenity, water environment, traffic and highway safety, ecology and playing field.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the car park proposal was considered to be an engineering operation and preserved the openness of the Green Belt, therefore, was not inappropriate development within the Green Belt and, therefore, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy considered the proposal acceptable in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Subject to the imposition of conditions in relation to the surfacing materials of the proposed car park, provision of replacement hedgerows and facing materials of the proposed extension, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no adverse impact on the landscape character of the area.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy recognised the importance of preserving open play space and was not satisfied that the proposed car parking area was acceptable.

Subject to the imposition of conditions relating to materials and hours of construction, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development was acceptable on residential amenity grounds.

Subject to the imposition of a condition relating to drainage, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no adverse impact on the water environment.

Subject to the imposition of conditions the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no adverse impact on highways safety.

Subject to the imposition of conditions relating to, breeding birds; the protection of trees and hedgerows; protection of protected species; lighting; installation of bat and bird boxes and a planting scheme, the Head of Economic Development and Planning did not consider that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area.

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 DS13; Policy S31; Policy S32; Policy S33; Policy C17; Policy BG3; Policy BG4 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.

The representative of the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy commented that members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 909.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and County Planning General Regulations 1992 for planning permission for the proposed construction of a 2 classroom extension, together with a new hard play area, new car parking area and reinstatement of pedestrian access at Millfields First School, Swift Close, Bromsgrove, 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 Strategic Infrastructure and Economy's comments in relation to landscape character and appearance of the area, residential amenity, water environment, traffic and highway safety, ecology and biodiversity and playing field.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that on balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular, Policies DS13; S31; C17 and BG3 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan, the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

Given the size, siting and design of the proposed development the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposal would have no adverse impact on the landscape character of the surrounding area, subject to the imposition of conditions relating to a landscaping scheme and a scheme to protect the existing larch and pine trees, located to the north-west of the school site in accordance with Policy C17 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan and conditions relating to facing brick of the proposed extension and surfacing of the proposed car park.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was, therefore, satisfied that the proposed development was acceptable on residential amenity grounds.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no adverse impact on the water environment.

Subject to the imposition of a condition relating to the provision of a travel plan, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposal would have no adverse impact on highways safety.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no detrimental impact on the biodiversity of the site and the surrounding area.

The representative of the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy commented that members had visited the site. She added that the local councillor had commented further that he had received additional letters from local residents expressing concerns about the proposal and on this basis he could not support the application without further discussions being held with local residents.

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

·         The concerns of the local councillor about the use of the pedestrian access were shared, particularly regarding the materials to be used for the surface dressing and the security arrangements for the pedestrian access. Mr Galvin of Jacobs, the representative acting on behalf of the applicant explained that the pedestrian access would be fenced off and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 910.

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 2014/2015.

The report set out the background to the SatSGs legislation, including reference to Safety Certificates, Safety Advisory Groups.  It set out details of the annual review of Sixways Stadium - Worcester Warriors, Aggborough Stadium – Kidderminster Harriers and Worcester City Football Clubs, the Grandstand – Worcester Racecourse, and the Victoria Ground – Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club.

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

·         The Emergency Planning Officer offered an open invitation to members of the Committee to attend a site visit to see the safety of sports grounds arrangements in operation. He specifically suggested Worcester Racecourse as a venue to visit although this would require an evening visit 

·         In response to a query, the Emergency Planning Officer explained that the Worcestershire County Cricket Club ground fell outside the Safety of Sports Grounds legislation because it did not have any stands that accommodated more than 500 people.

RESOLVED that the 2014/15 Annual Review of activities carried out by the Council to manage and implement the Safety at Sports Grounds legislation be noted.