Agenda and minutes

To be informed of the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

Pursuant to the Council's Constitution the appointment of the following substitute members was reported:

Councillor P Earley for Councillor M Green

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation from the requirement to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 October 2022.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Deputy Chair.

To receive the attached guidance to members in determining planning applications and to give consideration to the planning applications listed in the following agenda items.

The Committee received guidance in relation to the principles of decision making when determining planning applications and then gave consideration to the planning applications listed in the following minutes.

To determine a full planning application from Malhotra Leisure Limited for demolition of existing public house and redevelopment of site to provide 1no.retail unit (Class E), 1no.drinking establishment with expanded food provision (Sui Generis) and 14no. apartments, associated car parking, infrastructure and landscaping works.

Speaking rights have been granted to:

·      Local residents, Kathryn Lane, Gerry and Anne Weites, Christopher Stratford, Fraser Doherty and Steven Robinson.

·      Councillors Linda Arkley and Willie Samuel, Cullercoats Ward Councillors

·      Harvey Emms, on behalf of the applicant.

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers, together with an addendum circulated prior to the meeting, in relation to a full planning application from Malhotra Leisure Limited for demolition of existing public house and redevelopment of site to provide 1no.retail unit (Class E), 1no.drinking establishment with expanded food provision (Sui Generis) and 14no. apartments, associated car parking, infrastructure and landscaping works.

A planning officer presented details of the application with the aid of various maps, plans and photographs.

In accordance with the Committee’s Speaking Rights Scheme, Fraser Doherty addressed the Committee on behalf of a number of local residents who objected to the proposed development. Mr Doherty explained that the dimensions of the development contained in the planning officers report indicated that the building was taller and closer to their homes than residents had understood and so the impact of the development would be greater than anticipated. He challenged the findings contained within the applicant’s overshadowing study with his own calculations which demonstrated how neighbouring properties would be detrimentally affected by a loss of sunlight. As there were windows on every elevation of the proposed development there would be overlooking onto neighbouring properties. Reference was made to the precedence set by previous planning decisions in the area on the grounds of highway safety, the amenity of neighbouring residents, privacy and proposed changes of use being incompatible with the area. Mr Doherty also expressed concerns regarding the size and frequency of deliveries to the commercial units.  

Steven Robinson had also been granted permission to speak to the Committee. Mr Robinson had spearheaded a campaign opposed to the development which had generated approximately 1000 objections. He had spoken to residents who were 100% certain they did not want this development. He emphasised that the decision of the Planning Committee carried a great deal of weight and that elected members had a duty to represent and listen to the wishes of residents. 

Councillors Willie Samuel and Linda Arkley had both been granted permission to speak to the Committee as ward councillors for Cullercoats. Councillor Samuel stated that the revised proposals did not address the fundamental concerns of local residents relating to the adequacy of car parking and access and its impact on the amenity of surrounding occupiers and future occupiers, on the character of the area and on trees and biodiversity. On these issues he challenged the conclusions contained in the planning officers report, he contended that the case had not been made for the application and asked the Committee to reject the application.

Councillor Arkley expressed her concerns regarding the loss of privacy caused by windows to the rear of the development overlooking neighbouring properties, an inadequate provision of 34 car parking spaces which would cause parking problems in the area, security concerns shared by the Police regarding the installation of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and overnight storage facilities, the risk of flooding and the risks associated with the site lying within a high risk coal mining area.

Harvey  ...  view the full minutes text for item PQ51/22