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

There were no declarations of interests made by members in respect of items under consideration at this meeting.

The Committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2014.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2014, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Jarvis in the voting schedule to indicate that he had voted for item 6.3 – 6 Catalina Villas, Plymouth 14/0007/FUL.

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

There were no items of Chair’s urgent business.

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 Conservations Areas) Act, 1990.

The Strategic Director for Place submitted a report requesting approval to the removal of one Sycamore tree and the trimming back of another protected under Tree Preservation Order No. 228.

Agreed that consent be granted for the requested works, along with a condition to replace the removed tree with a suitable species in the next available planting season.

Applicant: Notemachine

Ward: St Peter & the Waterfront

Recommendation: Grant Conditionally

(Notemachine)

Decision:

Application GRANTED conditionally.

(The Committee heard representations from Councillor McDonald, ward member, speaking against the application).

(Councillor Nicholson’s proposal to defer the application, having been seconded by Councillor K Foster, was put to the vote and declared lost).

Committee Members will be provided with a presentation upon planning performance 2013/14.

The Committee received a presentation on the performance of the Planning Service as submitted by the Head of Development Management.  The presentation highlighted performance in regard to –

·         speed of decision making

·         dealing with major applications

·         number of applications received

·         number of applications determined

·         fees (£1m brought into the Council’s revenue)

·         the number of applications dealt with through delegation

·         approvals rate

·         time taken to validate applications

·         decisions taken

·         compliments and complaints

The Chair congratulated the Head of Development Management on the Service’s excellent performance record and asked that his thanks be passed back to the team for their contribution.

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 17 March 2014 to 13 April 2014, 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 Head of Development Management provided members with an update with regards the 24-26 Merafield Road 13/01922/FUL application.  Members were advised that the independent site survey had now been undertaken and it had been established that there was a 2.5m difference in the distance from the western boundary to that estimated by the applicant. 

The Committee noted the report from the Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure on the decisions issued for the period 17 March to 13 April 2014.

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.

Councillor Wheeler raised a query with regard to the prosecution outcome of the TPO contravention held in the Magistrates Court on 28 March 2014.  Whilst he welcomed the outcome, he expressed concern that there was no requirement to replace the tree.

Members were advised that this was not something currently in the Magistrates’ remit.  However, the matter would be referred to the Council’s litigation team so that it could be raised at the next Magistrates’ User Group meeting.

Councillor Taylor asked if an appeal had yet been received in respect of the Thirlmere Gardens  application (13/02214/FUL). He was informed that one hadn’t but officers have met the applicant to discuss a possible alternative proposal that might address the refusal reasons.

The Committee noted the schedule of appeal decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate.

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 FIND ATTACHED A SCHEDULE OF VOTING RELATING TO THE DECISIONS TAKEN AT THIS MEETING***