Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Crooks, O’Shea and Sutton with the substitution of Councillor Bill for Councillor Crooks and Councillor Batty for Councillor O’Shea authorised in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2013.

It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To be advised of any additional items of business which the Chairman decides by reason of special circumstances shall be taken as matters of urgency at this meeting.

It was reported that there would be an additional item of business which would follow the items on the agenda regarding wind turbines. This was deemed urgent due to the need to make a recommendation to put to Council on 24 September.

To receive verbally from Members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

Following advice, Councillors Allen, Batty, Chastney, Morrell, Smith and Ward declared a personal interest in application 13/00532/HOU as the applicant was a member of their political group.

The Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) to report progress on any decisions delegated at the previous meeting.

The Development Control Manager reported that the decision on application 13/00056/FUL which had been delegated at the previous meeting had not yet been issued.

Schedule of planning applications attached.

The following planning applications were set before members for determination and determined as follows.

(a)        13/00255/FUL – Demolition of existing cow shed and erection of outbuilding to be used as annexe, Wykin House Farm, Higham Lane, Wykin – Mr Gary Harrison

On the motion of Councillor Morrell, seconded by Councillor Allen, it was

RESOLVED – the application be permitted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report.

(b)        13/00373/FUL – Erection of a covered cattle yard, Sparkenhoe Farm, Main Road, Upton – Mr & Mrs David Clarke

On the motion of Councillor Ward, seconded by Councillor Bannister, it was

RESOLVED – the application be permitted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report.

(c)        13/00152/DEEM – Demolition of office building and associated outbuildings, grubbing up to foundations, infill and grading of soil and seeding to grass, retention of public access and public car parking, Council Offices, Argents Mead, Hinckley – Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Attention was drawn to the amended condition in the late items. Some Members expressed concern about traffic problems from lorries moving concrete from the site and about noise and dust. Councillor Lynch suggested arranging for the ward councillors to meet with the contractor prior to commencement. It was moved by Councillor Mayne, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

RESOLVED – the Development Control Manager be authorised to issue planning permission subject to the conditions contained in the report and subject to the granting of conservation area consent by the Secretary of State pursuant to minute 124(d).

(d)        13/00237/CON – Demolition of office building and associated outbuildings, grubbing up to foundations, infill and grading of soil and seeding to grass, retention of public access and public car parking, Council Offices, Argents Mead, Hinckley – Mr Robert Vaughan

Attention was drawn to the addition condition in the late items. On the motion of Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Allen, it was

RESOLVED – the Development Control Manager be authorised to make an application to the Secretary of State in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (1519) for conservation area consent.

(e)        13/00532/HOU – Extensions and alterations to dwelling, 4 The Poplars, Earl Shilton – Mr Chris Ladkin

On the motion of Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Witherford, it was

RESOLVED – the application be permitted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

Members were presented with a report of appeals lodged and determined since the previous meeting. On the motion of Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Taylor, it was

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

The Committee received a report updating on the progress of various appeals since the previous meeting. On the motion of Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Bannister, it was

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

Members received information on delegated decisions taken since the previous report. On the motion of Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Bannister, it was

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had had a meeting with the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) the previous week where they had discussed the types of wind turbines which may be decided under delegated powers so the Constitution could be amended to reflect this. Members were asked to agree a height of turbine above which the matter would need to be decided by the Planning Committee so that this could be put to Council as an amendment to the Constitution. Members were reminded that an application could come to committee on a Member’s request regardless of the setting of the size of turbine to be determined under delegated powers contained in the Constitution, the request being based on sound planning reasons.

Members were shown a diagram which showed the sizes of small, medium and large turbines in comparison to houses, trees and pylons. Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Witherford, moved that applications for wind turbines of 80m or more be referred to Planning Committee, or where there were three or more turbines of any size proposed. Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – it be RECOMMENDED to Council that the Constitution be amended to require all applications for wind turbines of 80m or more and all applications for three or more turbines of any size be referred for determination by Planning Committee.