Seaton Town Council
PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday 16th April 2007
PRESENT:
- Cllr Mrs Jones (Chairman)
- Cllrs J Meakin
- R Morgan
- J Pigott
- J Seward
- Mrs R Partridge- Hogbin
In Attendance
Cllrs P Burrows
APOLOGIES:
Cllrs L Garner, R Parry, W Buskin, R Farlow
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr Benfield of Marsh Road spoke on application 06/2709/MFUL Pole Arms. He said he had forwarded to EDDC Planning Dept photographs of the impact on his and neighbouring properties of the cottages currently under construction, showing considerable overlooking and loss of privacy if building continued on the current site. He referred to the history of this application and in particular the apparent disregard of the developer to comply with the planning system in respect of the cottages. He was very concerned that there had been no chance for residents to view the latest amendments because of a reduction in response time and also the non-receipt of the plans at the Town Council office. He accused the Planning Department of appearing to assist the developer considerably more than the affected residents and asked the Town Council to make representations to the Planning Department on behalf of the residents to ensure that their rights were protected.
574/06APOLOGIES
Apologies were accepted and approved
575/06MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held on 26th March 2007 were approved and signed by the chairman.
576/06DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Burrows advised that he was not a member of the committee and would therefore not vote on any matters. He also declared a personal interest in planning application 07/0801 14 Eyewell Green, being a friend of the applicant.
577/06TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS
a) 07/0534/FUL First floor side extension, 2 Constantine Close, Seaton
Members unanimously recommended Refusal on the grounds of loss of light. They were also concerned that because of this proposed extension resulting in overdevelopment of the site, there would be loss of off-road parking and therefore highway safety issues.
b) 07/0801/FUL single storey extension, 14 Eyewell Green, Seaton
Members unanimously recommended Approval but sought agreement to a condition of approval being that the extension remain as part of the main house and not become a separate dwelling.
c) 07/0835/TRE T1: remove 2 overhanging branches from horse chestnut and T2: remove or prune 4 lower branches from horse chestnut, Bramblegate and Foxley (land adjoining), Durley Road, Seaton
In view of Tree Officer’s recommendation, Members unanimously recommended Approval
d) 07/0865/FUL extension to existing garage, Couchill Crossacre, Couchill Lane, Seaton
Members unanimously recommended Approval
e) 07/0919/FUL erection of conservatory, 10 Marlpit Lane, Seaton
Members unanimously recommended Approval
f) 06/2709/MFUL part demolition and conversion of hotel into 8 flats with 2 ground commercial units, erection of 3 dwellings to rear and provision of car parking for 8 vehicles. Re-submission of previously approved application no. 05/2158/MFUL, The Pole Arms, Fore Street, Seaton (amended plans)
It was unanimously agreed that Standing Orders be suspended to allow Mr Benfield the opportunity to speak and answer questions. Mr Benfield said he had not been able to submit comments to this amended plan because he had not been able to view it due to its late arrival at the Town Council office and reduction of response time from two weeks to one. He said he was appalled that the Planning Officer appeared to be using the forthcoming elections as a reason to rush through determination of this application.
Standing Orders were re-imposed.
It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman’s draft letter, circulated to the meeting, should be sent to Mr Belli, EDDC Development Control Manager. The Clerk was requested to send an additional response by e-mail and by hand, stressing:
a) That the Planning officers should be serving the public before developers;
b) If this application were allowed, it would give the message that planning controls were non-existent, giving developers a licence to build whatever they liked - as has been demonstrated in other developments in the town;
c) Concern that the Enforcement Officer has allowed building to progress as far as it has before taking action,
d) That there has been insufficient response time given to the public and Town Council,
e) That there has been no opportunity for the public or Town Council to view the plans due to mal-administration
f) In view of the number of amended plans submitted for this site, if approved this would be seen as planning by stealth.;
g) In view of the short notice of the planning inspections committee, it had been impossible to arrange for any member of the Town Council to attend to give their Members’ views
Members unanimously resolved that they did not support any application other than that already approved and would not comment on this application for all the reasons stated. They agreed that the Clerk should seek a deferment of the Planning Inspection Committee at which this application was to be considered, until the public and Town Council had been given the opportunity to be properly consulted.
Cllr Burrows left the meeting
578/06CORRESPONDENCE
a) EDDC - Planning Inspections Committee, 20th April 2007, 5 Woodbine Place, Seaton
In view of the short notice, no Town Councillor was available and it was agreed that the Ward Members would speak on their behalf, requesting a site inspection.
The meeting closed at 7.46 pm
Archived Copies of Minutes
Copies of all Minutes of all the Council's meetings are held in the Council Office and copies are sent to Seaton Library once they have been signed by the chairman as a true record of proceedings at the subsequent meeting.