Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors R Canny, R Johnson, V Richichi and N Smith.

Councillor A C Saffell informed Members that Councillor R Canny had undergone minor surgery and requested that a get well soon card be sent from the committee.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

Before Members declared their interests the Legal Advisor stated the following:-

Before Members declare their interests in the applications being heard at this committee, I would just like to remind Members of the advice that was provided at the previous committee in respect of the Money Hill application, application A1 of the agenda. Some members were advised that they had a non-pecuniary interest in that matter due to them being members of the Labour Party and, therefore, if they came to the meeting with an open mind, were entitled to remain and take part in the decision-making on that matter. Despite this advice, some concerns were raised about their involvement in the process and they chose to leave when the item was considered having declared a pecuniary interest.

To clarify the position I can confirm that those members have again been advised that they have a non-pecuniary interest only.  It is for each member to decide what interests they need to declare but should they choose to do so, my advice is that they can declare a non-pecuniary interest in item A1 providing they come to this committee and hear the application with an open mind.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members declared the following interests:

Councillor R Adams and Councillor D Everitt declared a non-pecuniary interest in item A2, application number 14/00933/OUTM as members of Whitwick Parish Council.

Councillors R Adams, D Everitt and J Legrys stated that they had a non-pecuniary interest in item A1 due to being members of the Labour party and that they had come with an open mind and confirmed that they shall reach a decision based solely upon the information that they heard on the night and had read. They stated that they did declare a pecuniary interest in that application at the last committee although they had received advice that they only had a non-pecuniary interest. However, due to concerns that had been raised and the fact they had little time to consider their position, they felt the best option was to declare a pecuniary interest and take no part in the matter. Having received additional legal advice and had more time to consider their position, they were satisfied that their interest amounted only to a non-pecuniary interest and, therefore, they intended to remain and participate in the debate.

Councillor J G Coxon, declared a non-pecuniary interest in items A1, application number 15/00512/OUTM and A5, application number 15/00732/FULM as a member of Ashby Town Council.

Councillor J Hoult and G Jones declared a non-pecuniary interest in item A5, application number 15/00732/FULM as members of Ashby Town Council.

Councillor D Harrison declared a non-pecuniary interest in item A5, application 15/00732/FULM as the applicant was his son-in-law and stated that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

Councillor M Specht declared a pecuniary interest in item A6, application number 16/00562/OUT as a close associate of the applicant and a non-pecuniary interest in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman of as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, as amended by the update sheet circulated at the meeting.

The Chairman advised the Members that item number A3, application number 15/00951/OUTM had been withdrawn from this meeting and therefore would not be considered.

Money Hill Site North Of Nottingham Road And South Of A511 Ashby De La Zouch Leicestershire

The Head of Planning and Regeneration presented the report to Members. He reminded Members that an almost identical application, save for the access arrangements via numbers 3 and 5 Nottingham Road, was permitted at appeal and the new application sought to provide a new access, with egress for the care home, car park, and up to 100 homes only onto Nottingham Road.

Councillor G A Allman, ward member, addressed the committee.  He stated that one could measure the strong feelings about what wicked developments were being planned for the town which would irreversibly change it for our children.  He highlighted that the impact of such a development would result in the junction with the A42 at Flagstaff island being oversaturated, and any such development should only take place once this had been mitigated.  He asked what infrastructure plans there were for in place for this, and stated that the application was rendered undeliverable if there were none.  He respectfully reminded members that planning applications had to be sensible, and he pleaded passionately with the committee to listen to the residents of Money Hill and Ashby de la Zouch as a whole.  He quoted from the Local Plan which stated that the purpose of planning was to help achieve sustainable development, which meant ensuring that providing for the needs of the current generation did not make life worse for future generations, and the proposal in front of them most certainly would.

Mrs M Tuckey, representing the Town Council, addressed the committee. She advised Members that the Town Council objected to the development on the grounds that it was not sustainable, outside the Limits to Development, it would add to an already congested Nottingham Road and that the proposed access was in close proximity to the school. She acknowledged that the site was included in the draft local plan and neighbourhood plan, but stated that the Town Council had grave concerns over the safety of the pupils at the school. She urged the Members to refuse the application

Before addressing the committee, Ms L Titley sought clarification from officers on the proposal in front of Members in relation to the accesses.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration clarified that all would be able to access the site from both Nottingham Road and the A511 but only the 100 homes in phase one and visitors to the care facility and the car park would be able to exit onto Nottingham Road. All other residents would have to exit the site on to the A511.

Ms L Titley, objector, addressed the committee. She expressed concerns over the number of additional vehicles that would be using the access on to the development from Nottingham Road that was already congested. She also questioned why Ashby required another car park, which would also add to the high traffic volume in the area and asked why a Park and Ride scheme could not be considered. She highlighted that the proposed re-location of the bus stop, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

191 Loughborough Road Whitwick Coalville Leicestershire LE67 5AS

The Planning and Development Team Manager presented the report to Members and read out a letter that had been received after publication of the update sheet.

Councillor T Gillard, adjacent ward member, addressed the committee. He stated that this was the fourth time an application had been submitted on the site, previous applications having been refused. He informed Members that the site was not sustainable as there was no bus route and no amenities, with a 30 minute walk to the nearest shop and bus stop. He highlighted that the development was outside the Limits to Development and that the application across the road had been refused. He reminded Members that when the application across the road had been considered grave concerns had been raised over traffic issues such as speeding and he also expressed concerns over the flooding a few months previous and that the development would add to the water drainage issues that already existed. He urged the Members to refuse the application.

Mr F Duncombe, objector, addressed the committee. He informed Members that the application was not sustainable as it was a mile up a steep road and the residents of the new development would need to rely heavily on cars. He reminded Members that they had refused the application opposite to the one before them on the grounds that it was unsustainable and that the application before them was further away from the village centre. He highlighted that under the emerging Local Plan the site would be outside the Limits to Development, that 191 Loughborough Road had flooded in June and the dwellings would be visible to other residents. He asked the committee to refuse the application.

Mr R Woodward, on behalf of Whitwick Parish Council, addressed the committee. He highlighted to Members that the previous applications on the site had been refused, that the land rises and there was an inaccuracy as there were no dwellings behind the proposed site. He stated that the Parish Council had listed a number of objections as the site would be outside the Limits to Development and as Members had seen photos of the recent flooding added that the area would be exacerbated. He felt that the access was not suitable and there were several protected trees on the site.  He queried as to why the existing dwelling was being left to dereliction  He urged the committee to refuse the application for all the reasons that had been stated.

Mr S Clarke, agent, addressed the committee. He reminded Members that each application should be considered on their own merits. He highlighted to the committee that officers were confident that there would be no adverse impact on the area, they were happy with the design and that there had been no technical objections to the application. He informed Members that local policy stated that developments should have a density of 40 dwellings per hectare as a maximum and the application was for 7 dwellings rather than the previous application for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Committee adjourned at 6.20pm and resumed at 6.25pm.

Land At Worthington Lane Newbold Coalville Leicestershire

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

Mr A Hasler, objector addressed the committee. He advised Members that the village was only a small settlement and was unequipped to handle a development of that size. He stated that the pub was only small, the village school was oversubscribed, there was limited public transport options and there were no other day to day services. He stated that residents of the new development would have to rely on private motor vehicle which would be contrary to both national and local green policies. He added the site was Greenfield and that the development would have a detrimental visual impact on the village and intrinsic views.

Mr A Large, agent, addressed the committee. He stated that each application should be considered on its own merits, there was a presumption in favour of development and that the officer accepted that the development would enhance the village. He informed Members that he disagreed that the development fell short of the environmental strand and that the development was sustainable as the village had many services such as a bus service, a school, a pub and a large playing field, that there were jobs advertised at local businesses and that a new development at the site in front of them would help to sustain services in the surrounding villages. He further stated that the local school had been threatened with being placed in special measures and that the S106 contributions secured by the development would help to improve it.  He highlighted the number of letters in support of the application and urged Members vote against refusal.

Councillor J Bridges moved that the application be permitted as the location was sustainable.

Councillor R Adams stated that the hourly bus service would become a two hourly service as of September.

Councillor J Legrys seconded Councillor J Bridges’ motion to permit the application, adding that even with a two hourly bus service the village was in a better position than others and with the mix of housing that would be available it would make the village more sustainable.

Councillor M Specht stated that there were more supporters of the application than objecting and when looking at the application the layout rounded off the village. He highlighted that the proposal would meet the golden triangle of sustainability as outlined in the NPPF.  The location has limited services but was supported by surrounding villages with other services. He added that the mix of dwellings on the proposed development would help to sustain the village.

Councillor D J Stevenson stated that the application was in his ward and having seen the hedge around the site the development would not overlook. He informed the committee that he had lived in the area for 70 years and the village was more sustainable than ever with many employment opportunities, adding that the Post Office at Worthington supported the application.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted as it was a sustainable location with imposition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Holywell Mill Burton Road Ashby De La Zouch Leicestershire LE65 2LL

Having declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item, Councillor D Harrison left the meeting for the consideration of the item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

The officer recommendation was moved by Councillor G Jones and seconded by Councillor J G Coxon.

Councillor J Legrys stated that it was an excellent application and that the mill had become an eyesore, possibly due to the building having gone beyond repair. He hoped that all the wildlife was relocated appropriately.

Councillor J G Coxon stated that whilst the loss of the building such as the mill would be a shame he felt that the number of dwellings was sufficient for the site and that the residents of the cottages nearby suffered with the heavy traffic and dust generated from the businesses. He felt that residential units better served the site but did not want to see a further application for more residential units.

Councillor D Everitt agreed that the application was good but expressed concerns over the lack of affordable homes on the site.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Councillor D Harrison returned to the meeting.

Land At Top Road Griffydam Leicestershire

Having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, Councillor M Specht left the meeting for the consideration of the item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

The officer recommendation was moved by Councillor D J Stevenson, seconded by Councillor J Bridges and

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Councillor M Specht returned to the meeting

Land To The Rear Of George Inn Loughborough Road Coleorton Coalville Leicestershire LE67 8HF

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to Members

The officer recommendation was moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor J Legrys and

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Land Adjacent To Wilford House Loughborough Road Coleorton Coalville Leicestershire LE67 8HH

The Planning and Development Team Manager presented the report to Members.

Councillor D J Stevenson stated that the application had been deferred to allow the original reason for refusal to be considered further and an amenable conclusion had now been drawn and therefore the application should be permitted. It was seconded by Councillor R Boam.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted with imposition of conditions delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration

Land To The Rear Of 56 Main Street Swannington Coalville Leicestershire LE67 8QN

The Planning and Development Team Manager presented the report to Members.

The officer recommendation was moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor J Legrys and

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Report of the Planning and Development Team Manager

The Planning and Development Team Manager presented the report to Members.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The TPO be confirmed.

Councillor M B Wyatt left the meeting at 6.20pm.