Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    A copy of the summary presentations (previously circulated);  and

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2014 (previously circulated).

None.

None.

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.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a planning application under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 for a proposed new bridleway footbridge to span the proposed dualled Southern Link Road (Crookbarrow Way) at Crookbarrow Way, Whittington, Worcester, 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 Development Control Manager – Planning comments in relation to traffic, highway safety and impact upon the Public Rights of Way, landscape, character, visual impact and residential amenity, integrity of the railway line, water environment, ecology and biodiversity, crime risk and other matters – time-limits and sustainable development.

The Development Control Manager – Planning concluded that subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, the proposed development would be acceptable on traffic and highway safety grounds and would cater for the existing Public Rights of Way enabling a safe connection between Norton and Broomhall for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users. 

Based on the advice of the County Landscape Officer and the District Councils, it was considered that subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, the proposed development would have no detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the local area, or upon the amenity of local residents in terms of overlooking or overbearing implications due to its design, size, and location. Subject to the imposition of an appropriate condition relating to surface water, there would be no adverse effects on the water environment.

Based on the advice of Natural England, the County Ecologist and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust it was considered that subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, the proposed development would not have any adverse impacts on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area; and the proposal would not unduly exacerbate the risk of crime and antisocial behaviour.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Saved Policies GD1, GD2, SR6, SR10, ENV1, ENV5, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV10, ENV14, ENV19, and SUR1 of the adopted Wychavon District Local Plan, it was considered the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

The Development Control Manager – Planning commented that Members had travelled to the site along the A4440 and observed the work being undertaken to widen the Southern Link Road. Members walked along the public right of way from St Peters to the embankment overlooking the A4440 and observed the proximity of the railway bridge and the footpath and bridleway.

An objector had been invited to speak but was unable to attend.

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

·         The local councillor commented that he was pleased to see this application come forward because the bridleway footbridge had been required for some time. At present there was very little use of the footpath however he anticipated that following the construction of the footbridge, use would increase significantly.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 896.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the proposed development of a Household Recycling Centre (including earthworks, landscaping and access) at Tenbury Wells Business Park, Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells, 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 Development Control Manager – Planning comments in relation to the waste hierarchy, location of the development, landscape character, visual impact and the historic environment, residential amenity (noise, dust, odour, air quality and fire risk), water environment, ecology and biodiversity, traffic and highway safety, and other matters – crime and security and sustainable development.

The Development Control Manager – Planning concluded that the proposed development would form a new waste management facility that would provide for material use, through the provision of containers for the collection of goods capable of being prepared for re-use, and contribute towards increased recycling, thereby moving the management of waste up the waste hierarchy. In addition, the proposal would help to reduce 'waste miles' by providing a modern and improved HRC facility within Tenbury Wells, reducing the number of residents who need to travel to other HRCs, in order to have access to a facility with a large number of recycling options, and therefore, accorded with the National Planning Policy for Waste and the NPPF.

It was considered that the principle of the proposed development in this location was acceptable and accorded with Policies WCS 3, and WCS 6 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy. The proposed development would not have a detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the local area, including the Grade II Listed Building of New Court due its design, including landscaping scheme, size, and location.

Based on the advice of the Environment Agency, Public Health England and Worcestershire Regulatory Services, it was considered that the proposal would not have adverse dust, noise, odour, and air quality impacts.

Based on the advice of the County Ecologist, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Natural England it was considered that the proposed development would not have any adverse impacts on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area, including the wider Nine Holes Meadows SSSI, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions; and the proposal would not have an adverse effect on the water environment.

Based on the advice of the County Highways Officer, the Development Control Manager - Planning considered that the proposed development would be acceptable on traffic and highway safety grounds, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Policies WCS 1, WCS 2, WCS 3, WCS 6, WCS 8, WCS 9, WCS 10, WCS 11, WCS 12, WCS 14, and WCS 15 of the adopted Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Saved Policies DS1, DS3, DS8, DS9, DS11, EP1, QL1, QL5, QL13, QL16, QL17, QL19, QL20, QL21 and QL22 of the adopted Malvern Hills District Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 897.