Title

PLANNING SUBCOMMITTEE

7 March 2001

(9.30am – 12.05pm)

PRESENT: Councillors Slatter (Chair), Blencowe, Cowell, Harrison, Hipkin, Nimmo-Smith, M Schofield, Smart, Smith.

FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE COUNCIL

01/j/19 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2001 were confirmed as a correct record.

01/j/20 Apologies

The Subcommittee noted Councillor Dryden’s apologies for absence.

01/j/21 Declarations of Interest

Code of Conduct (non-financial) interests were declared as follows:

· Councillor Blencowe in relation to application C/00/1204/VC, Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, as he had been a student at the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology.

· Councillor Cowell in relation to application C/0903/FP, Ground, First and Second Floors of the Lion Yard Centre, as he was the Chair of the Cambridge Heidelberg Partnership Association.

· Councillor Hipkin in relation to application C/00/0719/OP, The Junction, Clifton Road as he was the City Council appointed representative on the Management Committee of the Junction.

· Councillor Slatter, who left the room for the duration of the discussion of the item, in relation to Item 9 on the Agenda: Objection to Tree Works Application 10/01 9 Latham Road, as she was a friend of the owner of the trees referred to.

· All members of the subcommittee in relation to Item 9 on the Agenda: Objection to Tree Works Application 10/01 9 Latham Road, as they were known to the owner of the trees referred to.

01/j/22 Planning Applications

A summary of decisions on applications for planning consent is set out in the appendix to these minutes. Full details of the decisions, conditions of permissions and reasons for refusals may be inspected in the Environment and Planning Department.

Resolved that

1. Planning applications considered by the Subcommittee be determined as set out in appendix 1 to these minutes.

2. Conditions or grounds for refusal, which the subcommittee had delegated to the Director of Environment and Planning to draw up during the course of the meeting, following consultation with the Chair and Spokesperson, be as set out in appendix 2 to these minutes.

01/j/23 Performance Indicators and Targets 2001/02

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning set out the range of performance indicators and targets for the planning service for 2001/02. Following the adoption of indicators and targets set out in the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan, the full range reflected Best Value Performance Indicators, Audit Commission Performance Indicators and Local Plan Performance Indicators. The subcommittee would continue to monitor performance on the indicators on a quarterly basis. Members were invited to comment on and amend targets and performance indicators.

Resolved that, subject to the amendment of Local Performance Indicator LP17 to include e-mails, the additional local performance indicators and targets for the planning service shown in Appendix 2 to the report be agreed.

01/j/24 Cromwell Road Planning Brief

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning set out the reason for the preparation of a planning brief for the eastern side of Cromwell Road. It described the issues involved, public consultations undertaken and recommended the adoption of a planning brief which took into account the results of the consultation.

Members welcomed the preparation of the brief and the implication of further developments along the extent of Cromwell Road. The residents of existing housing had expressed particular concerns and these had been summarised in a separate appendix to the report. These principally comprised:

· the effect on traffic flow of additional vehicle movements from new residential developments on the existing sites,

· the possible effect on the existing housing of more dense and dominating blocks of development,

· the cycle and vehicle access to the new sites and the development of the cycleway.

Resolved that, subject to minor amendments to take account of the comments of members at the meeting and following consultation with the Chair and Spokesperson on the final text, the planning brief be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance for the development of land at Cromwell Road.

01/j/25 Housing Design Guidance

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning presented a Housing Design Guide, associated research and the results of the public consultation exercise. It recommended that the guidance be adopted, with amendments, as supplementary planning guidance to the Cambridge Local Plan (1996).

National planning policy towards housing development had been rapidly evolving over the last two years and there was an increased emphasis on the reuse of urban land, good design, minimising car parking and building at appropriate densities. This had resulted in the publication of guidance towards these goals. Paragraph 55 of Planning Policy Guidance 3 on Housing had stated that local authorities should develop a vision for the types of residential environments they wish to see in their areas. The vision should be drawn up in consultation with the local community and subsequently presented in the development plan and supplementary planning guidance.

The comments of Environment Committee at its meeting on 6 March were noted.

Members of the Subcommittee commented that:

· the title of the Guide should be changed to include the word ‘development’, as ‘Housing Design Guide’ might lead to an expectation that the contents covered only architectural design issues rather then all issues relating to housing development.

· the Guide appeared to be for large developments only and not the small plots and that a paragraph should be included stating that the contents of the guide was applicable to small developments and cross reference the most pertinent sections.

· paragraph 42 does not reflect the importance of all types of outdoor amenity space and should be amended to refer to other types of outdoor amenity space and not just gardens.

Resolved that, subject to amendment to take account of the above comments of members, and following consultation with the Chair and Spokesperson on the final text, the text of the Housing Design Guide, attached to the report as appendix 2, be adopted as supplementary planning guidance to the Cambridge Local Plan (1996) and become material consideration in determining planning applications.

01/j/27 Planning Enforcement Control: 103 Hazelwood Close

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning set out the background of a building works not carried out in accordance with plans. These had been approved as a non material amendment under planning permission C/00/0184/FP for a part single and part two storey extension at no 103 Hazelwood Close.

Resolved that

1. It be accepted that the works undertaken had not been carried out strictly in accordance with approved plans, in that there is an increase in height of the single story extension by 100mm.

2. The completed works are not considered to cause harm to the amenity of the adjoining occupier however, and it is considered inappropriate to take formal enforcement action for this minor breach of planning control.

01/j/28 Objection to a Tree Works Application at 9 Latham Road (TWA 10/01)

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning related to an objection received to a Conservation Area Notification to fell one birch and to prune one silver birch and two red oaks. A lesser specification of pruning had been negotiated with the owner and the objector notified via their solicitor.

Resolved that no objection be raised to the felling of one decaying silver birch and the schedule of pruning set out in paragraph 2.1 b) to d).

Councillor Slatter declared a code of conduct (non-financial) interest and left the room for the duration of the discussion of this item as she was a friend of the owner of the trees referred to.

01/j/28 Homerton Street Redevelopment – Materials

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning set out details of the external materials to be used for the construction of the buildings within the Homerton Street Development granted planning permission on 15 November 2000. Condition 2 of the draft decision notice required the prior agreement of the external materials proposed. Members had requested the opportunity to determine the materials to be used at a subsequent meeting and sample boards of the proposed materials were displayed during discussion.

Resolved that

1. the facing bricks and roof materials to be used for the student accommodation within the scheme be approved and due course agreed in part compliance with Condition 2 of the planning permission.

2. The facing bricks to be used for the residential blocks be approved and due course agreed in part compliance with Condition 2 of the planning permission.

3. The determination of the acceptability of all other external materials used on the development be delegated to the Director of Environment and Planning.

01/j/29 Exclusion of the Public

Before considering the next item on this agenda, the Sub-Committee Resolved to exclude members of the public from the meeting on the grounds that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of information defined as exempt from publication by paragraphs 12 and 13(b) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

01/j/30 Installation of Telecommunications Equipment

The report by the Director of Environment and Planning informed members of the proposed action by Orange Personal Communication to install telecommunications equipment in various sites in the City. This was to be carried out on the basis that it was permitted development under part 24 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO).

The previous policy and the background to its adoption, the detail of the current proposals and the actions taken in respect of them to date were set out in the report. Advice on the policy adopted by other local authorities and the result of a recent appeal were also noted in the report. Members were asked to decide whether formal enforcement action should be pursued if the equipment was installed in the light of the current or any revised policy.

Members noted that the responsibility of determining similar applications had been delegated to Planning Subcommittee, but on the last application by Orange, it had been expedient to submit the issue to Environment Committee because of the meeting timetable. In considering the issue, the Environment Committee had effectively set the current policy in relation to the installation of telecommunications equipment. In the light of this and the need to respond urgently to the current situation, it was

Resolved that

1. the Director of Environment and Planning be authorised to prepare a reply to Orange in consultation with the Chairs and Spokespersons of Environment Committee and Planning Subcommittee.

2. A report be made to Environment Committee at its next meeting to confirm delegation on this issue.

Appendix 1

Planning Subcommittee

7th March 2001

No: C/00/1259/FP

Site: Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground, High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge

Proposal: Erection of single storey extension, and ramp to the recreation ground pavilion.

Applicant: J Roebuck, Head of Leisure Services, The Guildhall, Cambridge

APPROVED (unanimously) subject to the following conditions.

1. Standard Time - Full Permissions (CO1)

2. Materials samples (C11)

3. Construction Hours (C63)

4. Details of the disabled access ramp.

And the following informatives:

1. Contact Cambridge City Council’s Food and Occupational Health Section

2. The Head of Leisure Services attention is drawn to the comments of the Disability Panel to be taken into consideration in drawing up the related scheme.

No: C/00/0719/OP

Site: The Junction, Clifton Road, Cambridge, CB1 4GX

Proposal: Upgrading of existing venue and new extension to include second auditorium (200 seats), rehearsal rooms, new entrance and foyer areas, cafe/bar and other stores.

Applicant: The Junction CDC Ltd, Clifton Road, Cambridge

APPROVED (unanimously) subject to completion of an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure a contribution to the Southern Corridor Area Transport Plan of £47,000 and the following conditions:

1. Submission of reserved matters - time (CO3)

2. Standard Time - Outline Permissions (CO4)

3. Reserved Matters details (CO5)

4. Materials samples (C11)

5. Sample Panel (C15)

6. Cycle Parking (CO22)

7. Hard and Soft Landscape Works (C31)

8. Landscape works maintenance (C34)

9. Hard and Soft Landscape implementation (C35)

10. Boundary Treatment (implementation before use commences) (C37)

11. Fume Filtration/Extraction (C60)

12. Noise Insulation (C62)

13. Construction Hours (C63)

14. Details of Contractors operations (C64)

15. Reserved matters for the extension: a full noise assessment of the proposed effects of the development implemented prior to the use commencing.

16. The permitted hours of use shall be the same as the existing building.

And the following informative:

1. Considerate Contractors Scheme (A105)

No: C/01/0047/FP

Site: Land adjacent to, 133, Birdwood Road, Cambridge, CB1 3TB

Proposal: Erection of one 3 bedroom house.

Applicant: Mr S Williams , 133 Birdwood Road, Cambridge

APPROVED (unanimously) subject to the following planning conditions:

1. Standard Time - Full Permissions (CO1)

2. Car parking within the site for 2 cars to be parked (1 space to serve the application site and No. 133 Birdwood Road, respectively).

3. Cycle parking (numbers to be specified) (C22A)

4. Obscure glazing to the window for the proposed toilet and stair case on the south-eastern side.

5. Construction Hours (C63)

6. Floodlighting details, buildings (C38A)

7. No deliveries connected with the approved development shall be permitted out side the hours of construction.

8. Details of arrangements for the storage and disposal of domestic waste.

9. Permitted Development Restriction (extensions) (C80).

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No: C/00/1212/FP

Site: Site of garages, Franks Lane, Cambridge, CB4 1RR

Proposal: Demolition of existing garages and erection of 1 4-bedroom house and 2 2-bedroom houses and 2 3-bedroom houses.

Applicant: Hundred Houses Society, 71 Scotland Road, Cambridge

PSR: Under the Public Speaking Rights adopted by the Council at meetings of the Subcommittee, Mr R Woodford, a local resident, spoke on this application.

APPROVED (by 8 votes to 1) subject to the following conditions:

1. Standard Time - Full Permissions (CO1)

2. Materials samples (C11)

3. Construction Hours (C63)

4. Cycle Parking (CO22)

5. Hard and Soft Landscape Works (C31)

6. Hard and Soft Landscape implementation (C35)

7. Boundary Treatment (implementation before occupation) (C37A)

8. Details of Contractors operations (C64)

9. Permitted Development Restriction (extensions) (C80)

10. Permitted Development Exclusion (windows or dormers) (C81)

11. Dust suppression provisions.

12. Demolition statement

13. No building within 3 metres either side of the centre line of the public sewer crossing the site.

14. Details of the layout of the six proposed car parking spaces.

15. Car parking drained and surfaced.

16. Position and storage of the wheelie bins for each of the five dwellings.

17. Omission of the first floor bedroom window on the south elevation of the detached house.

18. Construction of the additional area of carriageway within the turning head to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority and dedicated as Public Highway.

And the following informatives:

1. The applicant is advised in relation to the desk top study for possible contamination to refer to:

A Department of the Environment (DOE): Contaminated Land Research Report – “Documentary Research on Industrial Sites”, prepared by RPS Consultants Ltd, CLR Report No 3, 1994.

B DOE (1994):- Contaminated Land Research Report – “Guidance on preliminary site inspection of contaminated land”, prepared by Applied Environmental Research Centre Ltd, CLR No 2, Volume One (of two).

C Construction Industry Research and Information Association CIRIA (1995) Special Publication 103:- “Remedial Treatment for Contaminated Land”, Volume 111: Site Investigation and Assessment.

D British Standards Code of Practice for “Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites” 1999.

2. Contact Anglian Water relating to any connections on to the public sewer.

3. Contact the Highway Authority or its Agent to arrange construction of the works.

4. Drainage of roof water.

5. Encroachment on or under the Public Highway.

6. The planning permission does not constitute permission to carry out any works relating to the Public Highway.

7. Incorporation of the planting beds between the back of the footway and front boundary fence to the two houses to the south east, in to the front garden of those two houses.

8. Construction of additional area of carriageway within the turning head to adoptable standards.

9. Considerate Contractor Scheme (A105)

No: C/00/1158/FP

Site: 26 Cambridge Place, Cambridge

Proposal: Demolition of existing Baptist chapel and re-development of the site for two 3 storey dwelling houses (Class C3) - Amendment to C/99/0356/FP.

Applicant: Plum Developments, Shingay Gate Farm, Shingay Cum Wendy,Royston,

Hertfordshire

APPROVED (unanimously) and that the Director of Environment and Planning be authorised to issue a decision notice, subject no further objections on new planning issues being raised before 14 March 2001 and to the following conditions:

1. Standard Time - Full Permissions (CO1)

2. Materials samples (C11)

3. Sample Panel (C15)

4. The garages retained for the parking of private motor vehicles only.

5. Permitted Development Restriction (extensions) (C80)

6. Permitted Development Exclusion (windows or dormers) (C81)

7. Construction Hours (C63)

8. Boundary Treatment (implementation before occupation) (C37A)

9. Obscure glazing of the windows on the northwest elevation (facing towards the rear gardens of the houses on St Paul's Road)

10. Details of lintels, sills.

11. All joinery to be painted timber and not plastic or metal.

12. Details of both hard and soft landscape works.

And the following informatives:

1. Contact the Highway Authority or its Agent to arrange construction of the works.

2. Drainage of roof water.

3. Encroachment on or under the Public Highway.

4. The planning permission does not constitute permission to carry out any works relating to the Public Highway.

No: C/00/1204/VC

Site: Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT

Proposal: Removal of condition 03 of permission Ref: C/99/1237/VC (to allow temporary additional hours of use of the bar extension) to enable the additional hours of use to be renewed for an indefinate period.

Applicant: Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge

APPROVED (unanimously) subject to the following conditions:

1. Hours of use or occupation of the bar extension.

2. Seven days prior notice of the night upon which the bar extension will be open until 02:30am the following day.

And the following informatives:

1. This permission should be read in conjunction with the original conditions imposed on the student union bar extension, as valid by permission Ref: C/99/1237/VC.

2. Sign to advise nearby residents who can be contacted both from the University, and from the City Council’s Environmental Health Department, in the event that noise and disturbance is caused to nearby residents as a result of events held within the Student Union bar.

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No: C/99/1160/FP

Site: Land at 79-85, Cromwell Road, Cambridge, CB1 3EE

Proposal: Housing development comprising 84 flats (4 studio flats, 29 1-bedroom flats and 51-2 bedroom flats), formation of vehicular access, access roadway, parking/turning areas, provision of open space and landscaping, land at 79-85 Cromwell Road, Cambridge

Applicant: Fairview New Homes Plc, 50 Lancaster Road, Enfield, Middlesex

PSR: Under the Public Speaking Rights adopted by the Council at meetings of the Subcommittee, Mr R Fusniak, a local resident, and Ms C Marayan and Mr S Gough, for the applicants, spoke on this application.

APPROVED (by 6 votes to 3) subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure:

i. the provision of affordable housing at 30% of the total housing;

ii. the provision, laying out, landscaping, public access and future maintenance of public informal open space;

iii. commuted payments of

a. £13,160 for children's play area,

b. £49,250 for formal open space;

c. £63,504 towards the Eastern Corridor Area Transport Plan

d. £24,400 towards the cost of works to the Coldhams Lane/Cromwell Road junction,

iv. a contribution to nursery education; and

on-site surface water attenuation works in accordance with the requirements of Anglian Water,

and to the following conditions:

1. Standard Time - Full Permissions (CO1)

2. Materials samples (C11)

3. Scale of 1:20 (including plans, elevations and sections) of typical window details, door entrances and surrounds, eaves and gable details, porches and roof canopies.

4. Sample Panel (C15)

5. Programme for the phased development of the site, including car parking provision.

6. Cycle parking and refuse bin storage facilities including a power supply to enable mobility scooters to be recharged.

7. Landscaping details - Full survey (C30)

8. Hard and Soft Landscape Works (C31)

9. Details of Earthworks (C33)

10. Hard and Soft Landscape implementation (C35)

11. Landscape management plan (C36)

12. Boundary treatment (implementation to be specified) (C37B)

13. External lighting to buildings, roads, including under the roof link, and footpaths.

14. Details of planting implementation (Trees) (C53)

15. Noise Insulation (C62)

16. Construction Hours (C63)

17. Details of Contractors operations (C64)

18. Access by people with disabilities to all buildings and all external spaces, including the areas of open space.

19. Existing access points are to be removed and reinstated to full footway construction, as part of the approved development.

20. Vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access, including traffic calming measures and access for people with disabilities.

And the following informative

1. Section 106 obligation (AI04)

2. Considerate Contractor Scheme (A105)

No: C/00/0903/FP

Site: Ground First and Second Floors, Lion Yard Centre

Proposal: Extension to Lion yard at Ground, First and Second Floor for A1 retail purposes, change of use of first floor children’s library to slass A1 retail use, change of use of permitted A3 floorspace to A1 retail use, use of second floorspace for B1 office use in the alternative, breakthrough intoproposed Grand Arcade scheme.

Applicant: Aberdeen Property management

PSR: Under the Public Speaking Rights adopted by the Council at meetings of the Subcommittee, Cllr B Bradnack spoke on this application.

APPROVED (unanimously) subject to conditions and the prior satisfactory completion of a S106 Agreement to include:

1. £83,500 under SCATP

2. £71,500 commuted payments in lieu of car parking under policy TR23

3. £5,000 for public art and

4. Repair and restoration of the Centre’s original Red Lion, and its return to a new location in Lion Yard in accordance with an agreed timetable.

5. Restriction of occupation of the B1 offices (in the alternative) to those meeting the occupation and local needs tests for B1(a) and (b).

6. Green Travel Plan – new offices and retail floorspace.

7. CCTV

And the following conditions:

1. Standard time – full permissions (CO1)

2. Details in full of the construction phase and a timetable for its execution.

3. Further details of elements of the development, including

a. Roof plant and equipment

b. New Shopfronts and signage

c. Circulation linkages for new office floorspace

d. New lift, particularly in relation to use by people with a range of disabilities.

e. Details of new shutters to Guildhall Place entrance

4. Commencement of the alterations at Ground Floor.

5. Use occupation of the Second Floor.

6. Public access to Heidelberg gardens

7. Fume filtration/extraction (C60)

8. Noise insulation (C62)

9. Construction hours (C63)

10. Details of contractors operations (C64)

11. Hard and soft landscape works (C31)

12. Landscape works maintenance (C34)

13. Hard and soft landscape implementation (C35)

And the following informatives:

1. Considerate Contractor Scheme (A105)

2. S.106 Obligation (A104)

3. Contact Food and Occupational Safety Section of the City Council.

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