Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 5 October 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5 October 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair reiterated that as per the email and calendar invite recently circulated by Democratic Services, the date of the December meeting of the Committee had been changed from Thursday 14 December to Thursday 7 December.

The Chair made the following additional announcements:

1.    Members of the public were permitted to film, broadcast, and report on the meeting, subject to the efficient running of the meeting not being affected.

2.  Members of the public were requested not to call out during the Committee’s discussions on any item.

3.  The meeting was being webcast on the Council’s corporate YouTube channel, therefore all those speaking were asked to please utilise their microphones when doing so.

4.  There were no planned fire drills so in the event of an alarm sounding, evacuation instructions would be given by officers.

5.  That it be requested that any devices be switched off or onto silent mode.

Report of the Development Management Manager.

This will be included in the Committee Updates published in advance of the meeting.

The Development Management Manager provided a verbal update which recommended that, following a delay to the determination of the aforementioned applications following a previous recommendation for a site visit, the Committee agree to hold Pre-Committees site visit in respect of the following applications:

Application No.      2023/5711/PIP

Proposal:                Permission in principle for the development of 8-9 custom/self-build units

Location:               Land at Poundfield Road, Potterspury

Reason:                  To enable the relationship of the development to the village and surrounding area to be assessed

Application No:      2023/6117/MAO

Proposal:               Outline planning application for 11 serviced plots for self-builders and public open space

Location:                Land to the East of Forest Road, Piddington

Reason:                 To enable the relationship of the development to the village and surrounding area to be assessed. 

The Development Management Manager further explained that both recommended site visits related to self-build proposals, and that site visits would be beneficial in enabling the Committee to gain an understanding of the relationship between the proposed developments and the surrounding localities.

Resolved

(1)  That the proposed Pre-Committee site visits be approved.

That the draft order be made, full details to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application P/WNS/2022/0016/MIS for the diversion of the existing footpath around a new building that has recently been approved in accordance with permission WNS/2022/1717/FUL at 2 Field Way, Helmdon for Mr Paul Duncombe.

There were no public speakers in this item.

In response to questions from Members regarding why this application was brought before the Committee for determination and not determined under delegated authority, the Development Management Manager advised that there was currently no provision in the Officer’s Scheme of Delegation for footpath applications to be determined under delegated authority and therefore a Committee decision was required until such time as the Scheme of Delegation could be amended.

It was proposed by Councillor Dermot Bambridge and seconded by Councillor Anthony S. Bagot-Webb that the Case Officer’s recommendation be approved. The motion was put to the vote with ten votes cast in favour of the proposal and none cast against, therefore the motion was carried.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered the Case Officer’s report and presentation, and the Committee Updates.

Resolved

(1) That a draft order be made pursuant to Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to divert part of Public Right of Way Footpath AP30, as detailed on the submitted Section 257 application.

(2) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to resolve any outstanding objections, and to confirm the unopposed order.

(3) That, in the event that objections remain and the draft order is still opposed, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for determination.

Application withdrawn.

Application withdrawn by the applicant prior to the start of the meeting.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.