To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 August 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 August 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Brindle.  There were no substitutes in attendance.

The duties to register, disclose and not to participate for the entire consideration of the matter, in respect of any matter in which a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest are set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011.  Members are also required to withdraw from the meeting as stated in the Standing Orders of this Council.

Councillor Plummer asked the Solicitor, Mr Michael Horn, for some advice on the Mattishall applications at Agenda items 9(a) and 9(b).  He explained that, as a Ward Member, and for openness and transparency, he had been called by a neighbour to attend a site visit meeting and wondered if he should declare an interest.

The Solicitor advised that if after attending this site visit, he felt that he had not pre-determined these applications, there was no reason why Councillor Plummer could not discuss the matter and vote accordingly.

No interest was declared.

Members were informed of changes to the following Planning Committee dates:

·         Tuesday, 23 October 2023 would be changed to Tuesday, 31 October 2023

·         Tuesday, 16 January 2024 would be changed to Tuesday, 23 January 2024.

Members were also informed that at the end of this meeting a short briefing would be held on Breckland’s Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

To consider any requests from Ward Members, officers or applicants to defer an application included in this agenda, so as to save any unnecessary waiting by members of the public attending for such applications.

None.

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item as urgent business, pursuant to Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None.

To receive an update. 

Rebecca Collins, the Head of Development Management, provided Members with an update on the Local Plan.

Members would be aware that the single policy partial review Local Plan had been adopted at the Full Council meeting on 21 September 2023.  This was now in a 6-week challenge period before final adoption.

It was important to note that the Local Plan was the same with the exception of the single policy INF03, which had been amended to remove the date for the review to be submitted.

There had been two sessions held by Filigree Consultants on behalf of the Council in terms of the Local Plan update. These were for the parish & town councils and were held in Thetford and Dereham. These sessions both went well, and the comments received would now feed into the Local Plan process.

A number of drop-in sessions were also planned to be held in the market towns throughout October and details of these drop-in sessions could be found on the Commonplace website at https://brecklandlocalplan.commonplace.is/

Any questions should be directed to Simon Wood, Director Planning & Building Control or to Andy D’Arcy, Planning Policy Manager.

To consider applications deferred at previous meetings including some, but not all, of those shown on the attached Schedule of Deferred Applications.

Change of use of site for storage, cutting and timber log distribution business, including extension to existing building for tractor / log storage and additional hardstanding area (retrospective).

This application was deferred from the meeting held on 29 August 2023.

Change of use of site for storage, cutting and timber log distribution business, including extension to existing building for tractor / log storage and additional hardstanding area (retrospective).

This retrospective application was deferred prior to the previous meeting held on 29 August 2023.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Naomi Minto, Development Management Planner.

A statement in support of the application and against the Officer’s recommendation of refusal from the Ward Member, Councillor Askew, was read aloud by the Chairman.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Applicant:                                Philip Potter

Applicant’s Agent:                   Martin Howe (Howe and Boosey Architectural)

Objector:                                 Ben Devlin

DECISION: Members voted unanimously against the Officer’s recommendation of refusal.

REASONS: The Committee was of the view that the amenity issues raised by Environmental Health could be adequately addressed by suitably worded planning conditions including:

1.    no machinery to be operated on site outside of the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

2.    no deliveries or loading otherwise than between 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and 9am until 1pm on Saturday; and

3.    a condition with regard to noise at the boundaries of the site be included to comply with LA90 standards.

DECISION: APPROVED

To consider the Schedule of Planning Applications:

Proposed two storey rear extension including internal alterations and render to new extension.

Proposed two storey rear extension including internal alterations and render to new extension.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Chris Hobson, Principal Development Management Planner.

This application was considered in conjunction with Agenda item 9(b).

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Ward Representative:                        Councillor Paul Claussen (spoke against the application)

Objector:                                             Roy Skinner

DECISION: Members voted 8 x 2 in support of the Officer’s recommendation of approval subject to the conditions as listed in the report; and subject to additional conditions requiring:

1.    the roof lights to be installed in the existing dwelling and proposed extension to be conservation style; and

2.    the two rooflights to be installed in the west side facing the roof slope of the extension hereby permitted to be obscurely glazed and fixed shut.

Listed Building consent for proposed two storey rear extension including internal alterations and render to new extension walls.

Proposed two storey rear extension including internal alterations and render to new extension walls.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Chris Hobson, Principal Development Management Planner.

This application was considered in conjunction with Agenda item 9(a).

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Ward Representative:                        Councillor Paul Claussen (spoke against the application)

Objector:                                             Roy Skinner

DECISION: Members voted 8 x 2 in support of the Officer’s recommendation of approval subject to the conditions as listed in the report; and subject to the following additional condition requiring:

1.    the roof lights to be installed in the existing dwelling and proposed extension to be conservation style.

Retrospective planning permission for 2 x no. holiday cabins.

Retrospective planning permission for 2 x holiday cabins.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Rebecca Collins, Head of Development Management.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Applicant’s Agents:                 Jasmine Ayton & Oliver Jones (Plandescil Ltd)

DECISION: Members voted 9 x 0 + 1 abstention in support of the Officer’s recommendation of approval subject to:

1.    the conditions as listed in the report; and

2.    a signed Unilateral Undertaking in terms of GIRAMs.

Members are requested to raise any questions at least two working days before the meeting to allow information to be provided to the Committee.

Noted.

Noted.