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 L Bones for Councillor K Barrie

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.

Councillor P Earley stated that he, together with the other local ward councillors, had submitted an objection to planning application 22/02118/FUL, Unit 21 Mylord Crescent, Camperdown Industrial Estate. He had also been granted speaking rights in relation to the application. As he had pre-determined the application he would take no part in the Committee’s decision making and voting on the matter.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 December 2022.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2022 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 Bellway Homes (North East) for the erection of 215no. residential dwellings with access, landscaping, sustainable drainage and associated infrastructure.

Speaking rights have been granted to:

·         Objectors, Charli McNicol, Maureen Walsh, Katie McNally, Angela Mciver, Peter Kirkley, Paula Leathers, Martin Collins and Allan Henderson.

·         Councillors Louise Marshall and Gary Madden, Wallsend Ward Councillors

·         A representative of the applicants, Bellway Homes (North East)

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 Bellway Homes (North East) for the erection of 215no. residential dwellings with access, landscaping, sustainable drainage and associated infrastructure.

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

During the presentation the planning officer stated that:

a)      following consultee comments during the course of the application process the applicant had submitted amended plans which indicated that the onsite provision of informal open space (excluding the bowling green) would be 2.3ha which equated to a loss of 1.88ha; 

b)      the previous planning application for residential development at the application site had been subsequently withdrawn;

c)       since circulation of the report and addendum, further discussions had taken place with Newcastle City Council regarding its request for a financial contribution to take measures to reduce traffic through residential streets in the Appletree Gardens area in Newcastle. In the light of these discussions, the planning officers amended their recommendation to the Committee to include within the terms of the proposed Section 106 Legal Agreement a financial contribution of £50,000 towards the introduction of two closure points as part of Newcastle City Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme; and

d)      officers had been made aware of an electronic petition hosted by the website Change.org and signed by approximately 1,400 people opposed to the application. The petition had not been submitted to the Authority but the issues raised in the petition were addressed in the planning officers report.

The Chair reported that all members of the Committee had been sent a letter by Wallsend Boys Club setting out its objections to the planning application.

In accordance with the Committee’s Speaking Rights Scheme, Maria Ferguson addressed the Committee on behalf of Wallsend Boys Club and a number of objectors who had been granted permission to speak to the Committee namely, Maureen Walsh, Katie McNally, Peter Kirkley, Martin Collins and Allan Henderson. She was accompanied by Steve Dale of Wallsend Boys Club. Maria Ferguson described the Boys Club as a significant community asset and outlined details of its recent expansion. It was opposed to the loss of the publicly owned open space as this would prohibit the club’s growth and its ability to contribute to tackling social issues in the area. She challenged the applicant’s Open Space Assessment in the light of the Authority’s Playing Pitch Strategy being five years out of date and the allocation of the land as open space in the Local Plan 2017. She asked that the application be refused until the Authority reviews its Playing Pitch Strategy. She also raised concerns regarding the impact on ecology and the capacity of Rheydt Avenue to accommodate the additional traffic flows from the development. She considered the proposed improvements to the highway network to be inadequate. The Committee were urged to listen to the views of over 200 objectors, stand by Wallsend Boys  ...  view the full minutes text for item PQ56/22

To determine a full planning application from Gurteen Transport for extension to existing commercial unit to form additional warehousing space, extension to car park.

Speaking rights have been granted to:

·         Councillors Peter Earley, Lisa Ferasin and Tracy Hallway, Camperdown Ward Councillors

·         A representative for the applicants, Gurteen Transport

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 Gurteen Transport for an extension to existing commercial unit to form additional warehousing space, extension to car park.

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, Councillor Peter Earley, ward councillor for the Camperdown Ward, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. Councillor Earley stated that he was speaking on behalf of around 24 local residents and all ward councillors in opposing the application. Their objections were based on the current operation of the premises which were a relevant indicator of how any extension of the premises was likely to have an impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents. Residents currently experienced noise and light pollution from the site, which operated beyond its permitted hours of 8am to 6pm. They were not confident that the proposed mitigating measures including an acoustic fence would be satisfactory. There were also concerns regarding an increase in traffic reversing into the site from Mylord Crescent and further car parking congestion in the area.

Maria Ferguson addressed the Committee on behalf of Gurteen Transport to respond to the speakers’ comments. She stated that the site was allocated in the Local Plan 2017 as reserved employment land, it was imperative that the business had space to grow and in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework the Committee should approve development proposals that accord with an up-to-date development plan without delay. The proposed development represented an increase in warehousing space, not an increase in activity and it would provide greater space to allow vehicles to enter and leave the site in a forward gear. She outlined the measures to be taken to mitigate against any impact on neighbouring residents including planting, acoustic measures and traffic management. On this basis she considered that there were no justifiable reasons for refusal and hoped the Committee would grant permission.

Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions of Councillor Earley and the applicant.

(At this point in the meeting Councillor Peter Earley withdrew from the meeting room and took no part in the discussion or voting on the application.)

The Committee discussed the merits of the application and gave particular consideration to the nature of the activity on site, the proposed improvements to the vehicular access and car parking on site and other mitigating measures and the allocation of the site for employment use.

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

On being put to the vote, 8 members of the Committee voted for the recommendation and none voted against.

Resolved that (1) the Committee indicates that it 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 following expiry of  ...  view the full minutes text for item PQ57/22

To determine a householder planning application from Mr & Mrs Taylor for loft conversion with rear dormer and rooflights to front.  Roof to be replaced with hip gable roof extensions.  Works to include: Installation of cedral cladding to gable ends of the property; lap wood effect in c62 violet blue.  Replacement of roof tiles from concrete rosemary to marley modern old english.  Cladding of existing dormer in anthracite grey zinc.

Speaking rights have been granted to:

·         Mr Duffy, neighbouring resident

·         Mr Johnson 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 householder planning application from Mr & Mrs Taylor for a loft conversion with rear dormer and rooflights to front.  Roof to be replaced with hip gable roof extensions.  Works to include: installation of cedral cladding to gable ends of the property, lap wood effect in c62 violet blue, replacement of roof tiles from concrete rosemary to marley modern old English and cladding of existing dormer in anthracite grey zinc.

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 a neighbouring resident, Mr Peter Duffy, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. Mr Duffy expressed dissatisfaction with the advice he had received regarding the limited issues to be considered by the Committee. He believed that the Council had not followed due process and he had been denied a right of appeal when the Authority had granted permission for the loft conversion. The application had incorrectly stated that the development was not visible from the highway. This retrospective application for an unauthorised dormer window had only been submitted when he and other residents had objected. He objected to the materials to be used and stated that the development would overlook neighbouring properties. He believed the applicant had shown a lack of respect and courtesy by continuing construction work during the application process. 

The applicant, Mr Taylor, addressed the Committee to respond to Mr Duffy’s  comments. Mr Taylor explained how he had acquired the property in June 2022 with the loft extension plans and a certificate of lawfulness already in place. He explained the reasons why the materials to be used could not match the existing materials and had to be changed. He accepted that these changes required planning permission. He regretted any upset caused to his neighbours but he stated that the materials were not out of keeping with the area and windows to the rear of the property already overlooked neighbouring properties.   

Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions of Mr Duffy, Mr Taylor and officers and to comment on the application. In doing so the Committee gave particular consideration to:

a)     the process applied in initially issuing a certificate of lawfulness and later requiring the applicant to seek planning permission because the materials used were not of similar appearance to the exterior of the existing dwellinghouse;

b)     the extent to which neighbouring residents were provided with advice on the processes applied; and

c)     the impact of the materials to be used on the character and appearance of the site and surroundings.

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 the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the planning officers report.  ...  view the full minutes text for item PQ58/22

To determine a full planning application from Northumberland Estates for demolition of existing buildings and proposed retail development and drive through cafe with associated access, car parking, landscaping and all ancillary works.

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 demolition of existing buildings and proposed retail development and drive through cafe with associated access, car parking, landscaping and all ancillary works.

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

On being put to the vote, 9 members 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 and addendum;

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 a financial contribution for the following:

-A £15,000 Travel Plan Bond is required. This will have to be paid if the Travel Plan Targets are not met 5 years from first occupation.

-A £2,500 Travel Plan Monitoring Fee (£500 per annum) is required. This is for North Tyneside Council (NTC) Officer time spent monitoring the travel plan delivery, evaluating annual travel plan progress reports and annual survey results as submitted by the Travel Plan Coordinator (TPC).

(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, its impact on amenity, the character and appearance of the area, highway safety and biodiversity.)