Minutes for Planning Committee meeting, Dec 16 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M.Fearn and Mahon.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were received:-

Member / Officer

Item

Interest

Action taken

Councillor Gustafson

Application No.S/2009/0640

Alexandra Branch Dock No. 1, Regent Road, Bootle

Prejudicial – Had previously objected to the application

Made representations to the Committee, then left the room and  took no part in consideration of the item and did not vote thereon

Councillor

Preston

Application No.S/2009/0738

Market Hall, King Street, Southport

Prejudicial– Against the Southport Library closure

Left the room and  took no part in consideration of the item and did not vote thereon

Councillor

Dodd

Application No.S/2009/0738

Market Hall, King Street, Southport

Prejudicial– Against the Southport Library closure

Left the room and  took no part in consideration of the item and did not vote thereon

Councillor

Sumner

Application No.S/2009/0738

Market Hall, King Street, Southport

Prejudicial– Against the Southport Library closure

Left the room and  took no part in consideration of the item and did not vote thereon

Councillor

Viedman

Application No.S/2009/0834

Alexander House, Montgomery House, and Churchill House, King Park, Seaforth

Prejudicial – Supported application on One Vision Housing Leaflets

Left the room and  took no part in consideration of the item and did not vote thereon

Councillor

Connell

Application No.S/2009/0834

Alexander House, Montgomery House, and Churchill House, King Park, Seaforth

Prejudicial – One Vision Housing Board Member

Left the room and  took no part in consideration of the item and did not vote thereon

Councillor

Connell

Application No.S/2009/0864

Ashworth Hospital, South School Lane, Maghull

Prejudicial – Had previously objected to the application

Left the room, and took no part in the consideration of the item and did not vote thereon.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the erection of 11 townhouses (a block of 5 no. four-storey townhouses fronting Albert Road and a block of 6 no. part three-storey, part four-storey houses at the rear) following the demolition of the existing two Victorian villas on the site be refused for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED: 

That the recommendation be approved and the application be refused for the reasons stated within the report.

The Committee considered a report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the erection of a two-storey side extension be granted subject to the conditions and reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED: 

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for a car park to include security fencing, automated gates and lighting at St. Lukes C of E Primary School, Crosby be approved subject to the conditions and reasons stated or referred to in the report and Late Representations.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Miss Grunes on behalf of the objectors against the proposed development.

RESOLVED: 

That the recommendation be approved and the application be approved subject to the conditions referred to in the report and Late Representations.

(In accordance with Rule 18.5 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, Councillor Roberts requested that his vote against this resolution be recorded).

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the change of use of the premises to six self-contained flats involving alterations to the elevations after demolition of the existing rear conservatory and store be refused for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mr Campbell on behalf of the objectors against the proposed development.

RESOLVED: 

That the recommendation be approved and the application be refused for the reasons stated within the report.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the erection of a total of 8 two-storey dwelling houses comprising of two pairs of semi-detached dwelling houses and one block of 4 town houses with associated landscaping and car parking, alternative to S/2009/0405 withdrawn 1/07/09, be approved subject to the conditions and reasons stated or referred to in the report and late representations.

Councillor M.Dowd as Ward Councillor, made representations against the proposed development.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the above application be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

Further to the Minute No. 82 of the 14 October 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director advising of the current position regarding alleged breaches in planning control at Formby Football Club.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mr Cunningham opposing the actions proposed within the report.

Councillor Griffiths, as Ward Councillor, made representations against the proposed action.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the actions as proposed within the report to remedy breaches of planning control at Formby Football Club, Altcar Road, Formby be approved;  and 

(2)       the Legal Director be requested to issue appropriate enforcement notices in consultation with the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director .

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the development of an electricity generation facility on part of the existing metals recycling facility, comprising the erection of steel clad Main Processing Building, Turbine & Boiler Building, Un-Processed materials Storage Building , conveyer belt system, associated plant and machinery and perimeter fencing be approved subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Councillors Friel and Kerrigan, as Ward Councillors, made representations against the proposed development.              

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the above application be deferred to allow for further consultation.                           

RESOLVED:

That the following applications be approved, subject to:-

(1)       the conditions (if any) and for the reasons stated or referred to in the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director’s report and/or Late Representations 1 and 2; and

(2)               the applicants entering into any legal agreements indicated in the report or Late Representations:

Application No.

Site

S/2009/0738

Market Hall King Street, Southport

S/2009/0766

Broadlands Nursing Home, 90 Windsor Road, Southport

S/2009/0834

Alexander House, Montgomery House & Churchill House, Kings Park, Seaforth

S/2009/0854

Rose Mount Nurseries, Pygons Hill Lane, Lydiate

S/2009/0864

Land to the Rear 226-228 Duke Street, Southport

S/2009/0865

Ashworth Hospital South, School Lane, Maghull

S/2009/0871

Bedford Queens Phase 3  Various Premises on Keble Road, Exeter Road, Hertford Road and Queens Road, Bootle

S/2009/0975

Former Leaf UK Site, 66 Virginia Street, Southport

S/2009/1004

Site of Former Southport General Infirmary, Scarisbrick New Road, Southport

(Councillor Weavers made representations as Ward Councillor opposing the applications S/2009/0975 and S/2009/1004 relating to the former Leaf UK site, 66 Virginia Street and the site of the former Southport General Infirmary, Southport respectively.

The Committee were advised that the above application had been withdrawn by the Applicant.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the change of use to a canine hydrotherapy centre to include a dog grooming salon be refused for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be not approved and the Committee, being minded to approve the application, requested and the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be requested to submit a further report setting out any appropriate conditions.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director which advised that the undermentioned sites had been inspected by the Visiting Panel on 14 December 2009.

Application No.

Site

S/2009//0640

Alexandra Branch Dock 1, Regent Road, Bootle

S/2009/1019

St. John & James Church, 50a Monfa Road, Bootle

S/2009/0771

Car Park, Pendle View, Litherland

S/2009/0765

Moss Farm, Gorsey Lane, Hightown

S/2009/0943

19 Whitefield Close, Hightown

S/2009/0958

19 Bath Street, Southport

S/2009/0874

61 & 63 Albert Road, Southport

S/2009/0930

59 Cambridge Road, Southport

S/2009/0828

48 Stephenson Way, Formby

Formby Football Club, Altcar Road, Formby

RESOLVED:

That the report on the sites inspected by the Visiting Panel be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the results of the undermentioned appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

Appellant

Proposal/Breach of Planning Control

Decision

Maghull Car Centre

Maghull Car Centre 1 Northway, Maghull – appeal against the application of the erection of 10 no. – 12 metre high lighting columns within the curtilage of the car display

Allowed

2/12/09

Maghull Car Centre

Maghull Car Centre, Northway, Maghull – appeal against the application for  advertisement consent for the display of 1 freestanding banner sign, three non illuminated fascia sign and one internally illuminated fascia sign

Allowed

2/12/09 

Maghull Car Centre

Maghull Car Centre 1 Northway, Maghull – appeal against the application for the erection of 10 no. – 12 metre high lighting columns within the curtilage of the car display area

Allowed

2/12/09

Primesight Ltd

779 Liverpool Road, Southport – appeal against the application for the advertisement consent for the display of 2 free-standing internally illuminated single sided display units at the front of the premises

Dismissed

 17/11/09

RESOLVED:

That the report on the results of appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director advising of the timescale and purpose methodology for carrying out the Green Belt Study; including the use of consultants, jointly appointed with Knowsley Borough Council, to validate the methodology and  scrutinise the conclusions of the study prior to public consultation.

The report also advised that although West Lancashire would be following the same methodology as Sefton & Knowsley, their appraisals would be validated by Lancashire County Council, and not by independent consultants; and the complementary ‘Overview’ Study that would be carried out by the Greater Merseyside authorities and West Lancashire early next year.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed methodology and the use of consultants to validate the work, prior to public consultation on the draft results next year be approved.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director updating on the current retained relationship with WYG and the need to seek expressions of interest for the appointment of new retail consultants from April 2010 onwards.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the report updating on the current retained relationship with WYG and the need to seek expressions of interest for the appointment of new retail consultants from April 2010 onwards be noted; and   

(2)       the Committee receive a further  report once the selection process has been concluded in February 2010 to enable them to endorse the appointment of the preferred retail consultancy.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director advising of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government’s decision to refuse the ‘called-in’ planning application for ‘Destination Kirkby’.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the report advising of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government’s decision to refuse the ‘called-in’ planning application for ‘Destination Kirkby’ be noted; and

(2)       thanks be extended to the staff within the Planning and Economic Regeneration and Legal Departments for their work on the project.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that gave Building Control Services’ performance in dealing with Building Regulation applications, for the third quarter of 2009; and an overview of how the down turn in construction activity had impacted on the Building Control Service.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Building Control Performance report be noted; and

(2)       the Building Control Team, be thanked for their sterling work.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 79 of the Cabinet Member – Regeneration meeting of 16 December 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that confirmed the extant planning framework provided by saved policies in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), Supplementary Planning Guidance & Development Briefs was still relevant to the HMRI programme; and assessed the impact of changes that had taken place since this was put in place, including:

• changes to the housing market as a result of HMRI intervention, and the impact of the credit crunch;
• the adoption of the UDP and approval of the North West of England Plan, Regional Strategy to 2021 (RS);
• the work done and studies commissioned to support the preparation of the core strategy; and
• the implications of human rights legislation.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be requested to confirm the existing planning framework is still appropriate and supportive of the Council’s strategy for the HMRI (Housing Market Renewal Initiative) area.