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 A 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 17 January 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2023 be confirmed and signed by the 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 Northumberland Estates for construction of 57 residential dwellings (Use Class C3(a)) and 14 No. commercial units totalling 650 sqm (Use Class E(g)), with associated road infrastructure, car parking spaces, open spaces, gardens, and landscaping.

Speaking rights granted to:

·       R & K Wood Planning Consultants

·       Northumberland Estates

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 Northumberland Estates for construction of 57 residential dwellings (Use Class C3(a)) and 14 no. commercial units totalling 650 sqm (Use Class E(g)), with associated road infrastructure, car parking spaces, open spaces, gardens and landscaping.

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, Robin Wood of R&K Wood Planning LLP, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee on behalf of Keenan Processing Ltd. Keenan’s were a vegetable processing company located on Ecclestone Close, Backworth, adjacent to the application site. Robin Wood outlined Keenan’s concerns that the proposed development would lead to complaints from future occupiers about the noise from its operations, particularly those occurring early in the mornings. Such complaints were likely to lead to restrictions being placed on the business’s operations which could be fatal to its viability. In accordance with the terms of the National Planning Policy Framework, the applicant, as the agent of change, was required to provide suitable mitigations where development would have a significant adverse effect on existing businesses. Keenan’s had commissioned Apex Acoustics to review the noise assessment undertaken by the applicant. They had identified errors in the process and they disputed its conclusions and the Environmental Health Officer’s judgement that the noise levels from Keenans would not give rise to a significant adverse impact. It was the opinion of the planning officers that, on balance, the development would not result in unreasonable restrictions being placed on existing businesses. Mr Wood contended that a judgement on balance was insufficient as, in determining an earlier appeal, a planning inspector had stated that it ought to be inconceivable that any complaints would arise. Mr Wood referred to previous applications, officer recommendations and appeal decisions and urged the Committee to again refuse planning permission as the issues previously raised had yet to be satisfactory addressed.

Barry Spall of Northumberland Estates, David Brocklehurst of Cussins and Simon Urquhart of Wardell Armstrong, addressed the Committee to respond to the speakers’ comments. Simon Urquhart described how he had worked in conjunction with the Environmental Health Officers to undertake noise assessments in accordance with the relevant standards and guidelines. The assessments had demonstrated that the proposed noise mitigation measures would result in low internal noise levels in compliance with the British Standards. David Brocklehurst commented on how the application to provide much needed quality homes had been refined over the past two years to address its impact on ecology, highways and existing businesses. The application was very different to those previously refused on appeal because the housing had been moved further away from Keenan’s and the issues regarding noise had been addressed. If approved, Cussins were in a position to immediately commence works on site and provide much needed homes.

Members of the Committee asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item PQ64/22

To determine a full planning application from Persimmon Homes (North East) for development of 13 residential dwellings (C3 use) with the associated infrastructure and landscaping, Station Road (East), Phase 4.

Speaking rights granted to:

·       Local residents, E Armstrong and B Reeve

·       The applicants, Persimmon Homes (North East)

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers in relation to a full planning application from Persimmon Homes (North East) for development of 13 residential dwellings (C3 use) with the associated infrastructure and landscaping, Station Road (East), Phase 4.

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, local residents, Ben Reeve and Elaine Armstrong, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. However, Ben Reeve was unable to attend the meeting.

Members of the Committee asked questions of officers and made comments. In doing so the Committee gave particular consideration to:

a)     the proposed condition requiring the applicant to submit for approval a landscape and ecological management and monitoring plan which would include details of the landscape design and the types of trees to be planted to ensure that root systems did not have a damaging long term impact on the development; and

b)     the objections of neighbouring residents and in particular their expectation that the site would be developed for a health centre and retail units. Officers confirmed that an application for a retail development had been submitted and that the applicant had made a financial contribution in accordance with the terms of a Section 106 legal agreement towards health services.

The Chair proposed acceptance of the planning officer’s recommendation.

On being put to the vote, 9 members of the Committee voted for the recommendation and none voted against.

Resolved that (1) the Committee is minded to grant the application; and

(2) the Director of Regeneration and Economic Development be authorised to issue a notice of grant of planning permission subject to:

i)     the conditions set out in the planning officers report;

ii)    the addition, omission or amendment of any other conditions considered necessary by the Director of Regeneration and Economic Development; and

iii)  completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure off-site compensation land, affordable housing provision (3 units) and financial contribution for the following:

-£2,535 towards ecology and biodiversity.

-£9,100 towards children’s equipped play.

-£6,918 towards parks and green spaces.

-£25,000 towards primary education.

-£3,000 towards employment and training.

-£1,963 towards coastal mitigation.

(Reasons for decision: The Committee concluded that, having regard to the relevant policies contained in the Council’s Local Plan 2017 and National Planning Policy Framework, the proposed development was acceptable in terms of the principle of development and its impact on the amenity of future and existing occupiers, the character and appearance of the area, the local highway network and biodiversity.)

To determine a full planning application from Bridon Bekaert Ropes Group for an extension to the existing building and the erection of no.2 ancillary lean storage.

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 Bridon Bekaert Ropes Group for extension to the existing building and the erection of no. 2 ancillary lean storage.

The Chair proposed acceptance of the planning officer’s recommendation.

On being put to the vote, 9 members of the Committee voted for the recommendation and 1 member voted against the recommendation.

Resolved that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the planning officers report.

(Reasons for decision: The Committee concluded that, having regard to the relevant policies contained in the Council’s Local Plan 2017 and National Planning Policy Framework, the proposed development was acceptable in terms of the principle of development and its impact on the amenity of surrounding occupiers, the character and appearance of the area, the local highway network and biodiversity.)