Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Councillors relating to items under discussion at this meeting in accordance with the code of conduct.

The committee will elect the Chair for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2012.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2012.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

The Assistant Director of Planning services gave a verbal update on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  Linked to the announcements in the Budget Statement on 21st March 2012 the NPPF was published by the Government on 27th March 2012 and came into force as a material planning consideration on that date for all planning applications. 

It was highlighted that the NPPF replaces all of the National Planning Policy Statements, but that other guidance from government remained in place.  Officers indicated that in their opinion the Plymouth Local Development Framework was ‘in conformity’ with the NPPF because it planned positively for growth, new jobs and new homes, was based on an extensive, continually updated, evidence base, covered all of the policy areas included in the NPPF and therefore carried the full weight of the Development Plan in determining planning applications.

Agreed that the Assistant Director of Planning Services would consider the comments of the Planning Committee and make appropriate future arrangements for a further more detailed briefing.

The Chair will receive and respond to questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures. Questions shall not normally exceed 50 words in length and the total length of time allowed for public questions shall not exceed 10 minutes. Any question not answered within the total time allowed shall be the subject of a written response.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Assistant Director of Development (Planning Services) will submit a schedule asking Members to consider Applications, Development proposals by Local Authorities and statutory consultations under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.  Members of the Committee are requested to refer to the attached planning application guidance.

The Committee considered the following applications, development proposals by local authorities, and statutory consultations submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990, and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990.

(Dr Kathryn Woolaway)

Decision:

Application GRANTED conditionally.

(At the invitation of the Chair, the Committee heard representations against the application from Councillor Mrs Beer, ward member).

(At the invitation of the Chair, the Committee heard representations against the application).

 (At the invitation of the Chair, the Committee heard representations in support of the application).

The Director for place will present a report outlining the circumstances surrounding an objection to the making of Tree Preservation Order No. 484.

Jane Turner, Tree Officer, provided the Committee with a report regarding an Objection to the making of Tree Preservation Order No.484, Parker Close, Plympton, Plymouth.

Agreed to confirm Tree Preservation Order No. 484 without modification.

The Director for place will present a report requesting approval for a Section 106 Deed of Variation.

Agreed to instruct the Assistant Director for Planning Services to undertake a deed of variation which amends the existing 106 Agreement as discussed in the report, to allow the public transport contribution for the development to be integrated with, and be delivered in tandem with, the Local Sustainable Transport Fund programme.

The Assistant Director for Development will give a presentation on the benchmarking of Planning Services.

The Assistant Director of Planning provided a presentation on a benchmarking exercise comparing the value for money and productivity of the service against comparable authorities, it was reported that Planning Services -

The presentation was noted and the Chair of the Planning Committee asked Peter Ford, the Head of Development Management, to thank all the staff for their hard work.

The Assistant Director of Development (Planning Services) acting under powers delegated to him by the Council will submit a schedule outlining all decisions issued from 28 February to the 26 March 2012, including –

1)  Committee decisions;

2)  Delegated decisions, subject to conditions where so indicated;

3)  Applications withdrawn;

4)  Applications returned as invalid.

Please note that these Delegated Planning Applications are available for inspection at First Stop Reception, Civic Centre.

The Committee received a report of the Assistant Director of Development (Planning Services) on decisions issued for the period 28 February to 26 March 2012, including –

• Committee decisions
• Delegated decisions, subject to conditions where so indicated
• Applications withdrawn
• Applications returned as invalid

Please note that these Delegated Planning Applications are available for inspection at First Stop Reception, Civic Centre.

A schedule of decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on appeals arising from the decision of the City Council will be submitted.  Please note that this schedule is available for inspection at First Stop Reception, Civic Centre.

The Committee received a schedule of decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on appeals arising from the decisions of the City Council.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) … of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.

***PLEASE NOTE***

A SCHEDULE OF VOTING RELATING TO THE MEETING IS ATTACHED AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THESE MINUTES.