Minutes of the meeting of the Development and Planning Committee

held in The Stevenson Centre on Monday 27^th November 2006

Present            Councillors          Mrs.C.J.Baker                       Chairman

                                                        D.C.Allen

                                                        Mrs.C.A.Beer-Todd

                                                        M.Fryer

                                                        J.R.A.Sayers

                                                        Mrs.P.White

                  Clerical Assistant        Mrs.N.Tamlyn

1)        Apologies for Absence

           Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs.F.A.Jackson.

2)       Declarations of Interest, Gifts or Hospitality

           Cllr.J.R.A.Sayers declared a personal interest with regards to his membership

           of Babergh District Council and Sudbury Town Council.

3)       Shawlands Avenue: Parking on Verges

            AGREED to write to BDC requesting that more parking spaces be made

           available in the grassed areas off Chelsworth and Kersey Avenues and request

           that BDC and SCC liaise with each other on this matter,   

7pm Cllr.M.Fryer arrived at the meeting.

4)       New Planning Applications

i)         B/06/01842/FUL/GP –  Land off Stevenson Approach, Broom Street

 Erection of 3 no.detached and 1 no.pair of semi-detached dwellings and

 garages. Alterations to existing vehicular access.        

 Recommended – REFUSAL

a)  Babergh has previously refused an application to extend the Stevenson

       Centre on the grounds of increased traffic onto Broom Street from 

       Stevenson Approach. Five new dwellings will produce an unacceptable

       increase in this traffic and we expect the Planning Committee to adopt 

       a consistent approach to this problem.

b)  This is backland development

c)  In view of the restricted access and proximity of the new properties to existing properties, which have hitherto enjoyed a degree of privacy, we regard this as an overdevelopment of the site

d)  There is no provision shown for street lighting. This Council is constantly faced with demands from residents in poorly lit developments for new lighting columns, which should have been provided, at the outset, by the developers. The plans, as shown, will result in a small dark cul-de-sac.

e)  There is no indication of how the developer intends to deal with surface water from the site. The area of the recreation ground and Broom Street lie in a natural depression in the landscape in which surface water collects. Existing soakaways are already overburdened and unable to cope at times of moderately heavy rainfall. The soakaways serving Stevenson Approach, in particular, are unable to cope with fairly light rainfall, resulting in almost constant flooding at its lowest point. Any proposal to allow surface water from this development to flow out onto Stevenson Approach is absolutely unacceptable.

Any proposals for surface water treatment should be referred to Babergh

District Council’s own Engineering Services Manager, Mr Schleip, who

has extensive knowledge of the flooding problems in Great Cornard.

The only access to the site is along Stevenson Approach a private road,

in the ownership of the Parish Council. The plans, as submitted will 

impact considerably on our roadway, not only through increased traffic,

but also in that the developer intends to widen his access involving,

presumably, removing our kerbstones and disturbing our tarmac.

Possibly also allowing surface water to flow out onto our property. We

are surprised to note, therefore, that the applicant states that

“Considerable negotiation has been undertaken with the Planning

Authority and County Highway Authority in advance of submitting a

planning application.” It is noted that neither the developer, nor Babergh

District Council, nor Suffolk County Council thought it necessary or even

had the courtesy to involve this Council in those “negotiations”.

    ii)   B/06/01762/FHA/RM – 73 Lionel Hurst Close    

           Erection of front and side single-storey extensions and rear conservatory.

           Recommended –  APPROVAL

   iii)   B/06/1892/FHA/AT – 17 Lionel Hurst Close 

                  Erection of single-storey front extension and two-storey side extension. 

                   Recommended – APPROVAL

  iv)   Phase 1, Cornard Mills, Bures Road

                  Cllr.Mrs.C.J.Baker declared a personal interest for this item only.

                  The siting, design and external appearance of, the means of access to

                  and  the landscaping of Phase 1 of the development comprising of 40 no.

                  residential dwellings. Minor Amendment – Relocation of Plot 10 parking

                  spaces.

                   Recommended – APPROVAL

v)   B/06/1821/FHA/DB – Prospect House, Prospect Hill

                 Erection of front and rear two-storey extensions.

                  Recommended – REFUSAL

a)  Detracts from the natural charm and character of the existing listed

       building.

b)  Oversized and of poor design.

c)  The plans specifically for the Garden Room do not match the rest of the

      house.    

vi)  B/06/1821/FHA/DB – Prospect House, Prospect Hill

                 Application for Listed Building Consent - Erection of front and rear

                 two-storey extensions.

                  Recommended – REFUSAL

d)  Detracts from the natural charm and character of the existing listed

       building.

e)  Oversized and of poor design.

f)    The plans specifically for the Garden Room do not match the rest of the

      house.    

vii) B/06/01743/FHA/AT – 27 Wells Hall Road

                   Erection of first-floor side extension. 

                   Recommended –  APPROVAL

                   Subject to the materials used being sympathetic and in keeping with the

                  existing materials and that the footpath is kept clear at all times.

viii) B/06/01743/FHA/AT – 27 Wells Hall Road

                   Application for Listed Building Consent - Erection of first-floor side

                  extension. 

                   Recommended – APPROVAL

                   Subject to the materials used being sympathetic and in keeping with the

                  existing materials and that the footpath is kept clear at all times.

ix)   B/06/01411/FUL/RM – Part side garden of 1, Radiator Road

       Erection of detached two-storey dwelling and detached double garage.

       Alterations to existing vehicular access.

       Recommended -  APPROVAL  

       The Council raised concerns over the use of a soakaway for drainage. The

       Council suggests that the Officers refer to the drainage reports carried out

       for the Guilford Europe site and that Mr.S.Schleip is consulted.    

x)   B/06/01872/FHA/AT – 31 Canhams Road

                   Erection of detached garage

                    Recommended -  APPROVAL 

5)         Items Brought Forward

           Nothing to Report.

   Meeting closed at 7.30pm