Agenda and minutes

The Chair made the following statement:

“The Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Area Planning Committees (APC) held an informal meeting with senior officers on Thursday last week to consider the progress made to date on APCs.

The arrangements for site visits were discussed as part of the meeting.  Following legal opinion on the draft site visit procedures that was received last week, it was determined that further research was needed on site visit procedures to ensure sufficient protection at planning appeals.  This procedural research covers areas such as whether it is a requirement for all Members of the APC to attend site visits in order to partake in the APC debate and the timing of the meetings.  As you know, each of the sovereign authority teams undertook the process in slightly different ways and rules for moving forward will need to be agreed by Members.  Council officers will ensure that best practice will come forward to be considered by Standards and Democracy Committee and ultimately full Council, and it will take a little longer to finalise the final outcome.”

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors Annabel de Capell Brooke, Roger Powell, Geoff Shacklock and Lee Wilkes.  Councillors Wendy Brackenbury and Bert Jackson attended as substitutes.

Councillor Jennie Bone declared that she had visited all of the sites on the agenda.

Councillor Bert Jackson declared that he had visited 1 Grimmer Walk, Irthlingborough (NE/21/01093/FUL) and Land to the Rear of 23-25 St Marys Avenue, Rushden (NE/21/00784/FUL)

Councillor Dorothy Maxwell declared that she had visited all of the sites on the agenda.

Councillor Gill Mercer declared that she had visited Land Rear of 57 High Street, Twywell (20/01343/FUL), 27 Webb Road, Raunds (NE/21/01186/FUL), Land Adjacent Brook Farm Cottage, Brooks Road, Raunds (NE/21/00901/OUT & NE/21/00902/OUT).

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2021 were approved as a correct record.

The following people spoke on the items as indicated:

·      NE/21/01093/FUL 1 Grimmer Walk, Irthlingborough – a representative of Irthlingborough Town Council.

·      20/01343/FUL Land Rear of 57 High Street, Twywell – an objector and the applicant.

·      NE/21/00405/FUL OP4518 SP9694 Blatherwycke Road, Bulwick – a representative of Bulwick Parish Council and the Agent.

·      NE/21/00784/FUL Land to the Rear of 23-25 St Marys Avenue, Rushden – a representative of Rushden Town Council.

·      20/01712/FUL 166 Avenue Road, Rushden – a representative of Rushden Town Council and the applicant.

·      NE/21/00901/OUT Land Adjacent Brook Farm Cottage, Brooks Road, Raunds – the Agent.

·      NE/21/00902/OUT Land Adjacent Brook Farm Cottage, Brooks Road, Raunds – the Agent.

The Committee considered the planning applications report and representations made by public speakers at the meeting.  It was noted that there was additional information on the applications included in the update sheet.

(i)           NE/21/01093/FUL – 1 Grimmer Walk, Irthlingborough

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a two-storey extension to the rear of the dwelling with a pitched roof.  The application had been brought to the Committee as there had been an objection from Irthlingborough Town Council.

It was moved and seconded that the application be granted.  On being put to the vote the Committee agreed to grant the application subject to the conditions detailed in the officer’s report.

(ii)         20/01343/FUL – Land Rear of 57 High Street, Twywell

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a new detached dwelling and associated landscaping works.  The application had been brought to the Committee as there had been an objection from Twywell Parish Council and more than three representations had been received from nearby residents.

During the debate on the application, Members stated that they believed that visibility exiting the site was good in both directions and the development would not impact on the village scenery.  It was also noted that within the draft Local Plan Part 2, the development would no longer be outside of the village boundary.  Members sought clarification as to why in previous planning applications it was not acceptable for more than five dwellings to use a private driveway but in this application six dwellings was seen as acceptable. 

In response to the issues raised, the Planning Officer advised that in relation to six dwellings using a shared driveway, that was a former County Council policy to ensure that the access was fit for purpose.  In this case, Highways had not objected to the application. 

It was proposed by officers that a pre-commencement condition be included for a Tree Protection Plan and Method Statement and this would need to be agreed with the applicant before any permission was issued.

It was moved and seconded that the application be granted.  On being put to the vote the Committee agreed to grant the application subject to the conditions detailed in the officer’s report, update sheet and that the applicant agrees the use of the pre-commencement condition for a Tree Protection Plan.

(iii)        NE/21/01186/FUL – 27 Webb Road, Raunds

The Committee considered an application for a single storey front and side extension and two storey rear extension.  The application had been brought to the Committee as there had been an objection from Raunds Town Council.

During the debate on the application, Members sought confirmation as to whether the window would have a direct line of sight into the adjacent flats.

In response to the issues raised, the Planning Officer confirmed that the flats were an acceptable distance away from the property and were at a slightly higher level.

It was moved and seconded that the application be granted.  On being put to the vote the Committee agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The meeting closed at 21.40pm.