Agenda and minutes

There were apologies from T. Abbot, P. Draper and Cllr. Henry.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Garrity declared a personal interest in the business as she was Chair of the Development Control Committee. She undertook to express no opinion on any of the applications.

Councillor O’Brien stated that he had received a number of representations about Appendix C, Item C), 215 Evington Lane.

P. Swallow declared a personal interest in Appendix C, item B) The Newarke, Chantry Building.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2005 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 27 April 2005 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

The Service Director, Environment submits a report on decisions made by the Development Control Committee on planning applications previously considered by the Panel.

The Service Director, Environment submitted a report on decisions made by the Development Control Committee on planning applications previously considered by the Conservation Advisory Panel.

Members of the Panel enquired about the amended plans that allowed the 4-8 New Street application to be approved. Officers stated that substantial amendments were made to the applications which meant a reduction in the loss of original fabric and English Heritage were satisfied with the plans.

Members of the Panel enquired about the refusal of the 17 Newarke Street application. Officers commented that the reasons for refusal were that the proposal created unsuitable living space and involved external alterations, which was not acceptable in a conservation area.

Members of the Panel also enquired about the reasons for the refusal of the Cradock Arms Public house application. Officers commented that the application was refused on the grounds of potential noise and disturbance.

Members of the Panel then considered the more general issue of any protocol of bring back to the Panel any changes that were made to an application before the Development Control Committee considered them. Officers commented that if was difficult to bring matters back to the Panel due to time constraints. Negotiations were always carried out with applicants on the basis of the Panel’s comments but if something significant changed then often matters did return to the Panel.

Further to this members of the Panel commented that if they did have any objections, then applications shouldn’t be approved under Officers delegated powers. Councillor Garrity said she would raise this matter with the Head of Development Control to ensure that matters, which the Panel did raise objections to, be at the very least considered by the Development Control Committee.

RESOLVED:

(1) that Councillor Garrity speak with the Head of Development Control to seek to ensure that where the Panel have expressed objections to planning applications, those applications are considered by the Development Control Committee;

(2)that the report be received and the decisions taken be noted.

The Service Director, Environment submits a report on planning applications received for consideration by the Panel.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report which asked Cabinet to consider introducing new service provision in advance of the budget for 2008/09.

Further to the report a list of proposed schemes was circulated, most of which were one off but some of which affected next year’s budget. The proposals were are as follows:

In relation to the additonal summer playschemes, Councillor Draycott, endorsed by Councillor Willmott, congratulated officers on putting together such a successful programme in a very short space of time.

RESOLVED:

That the above schemes and service improvements be approved, for immediate implementation, with one-off projects being funded from the capital fund and ongoing service improvements being met from an increase to the revenue budget.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chair, ought, by reason of special circumstances, to be considered urgently.

Members are asked to inform the Chair and Committee Administrator in advance of the meeting if they have urgent business that they wish to be considered.

There was no urgent business.

The meeting closed at 7.02pm.