Agenda and minutes

Cllr D White declared an interest in planning application TWC/2019/0216 because he was a member of Madeley Town Council and indicated that he would withdraw from the meeting during determination thereof.

Cllr J Jones declared an interest in planning application TWC/2019/0216 because he was a member of Madeley Town Council and indicated that she would withdraw from the meeting during determination thereof.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 5 June 2019 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

None.

RESOLVED – that a site visit takes place at 3.30pm on Wednesday, 31 July 2019 at Tibberton Shop in respect of planning application TWC/2018/0960.

Please note that the order in which applications are heard may be changed at the meeting.  If Members have queries about any of the applications, they are requested to raise them with the relevant Planning Officer prior to the Committee meeting.

Members had received a schedule of planning applications to be determined by the Committee and fully considered each report regarding each planning application.

This was an application for the erection of 4no. dwellings on land adjacent to 10 Bluebell Coppice, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire.

This application had been considered and deferred at the meeting of the Committee on 5 June 2019 to enable Members to undertake a site visit prior to the meeting.

The Planning Officer updated Members that late communication had taken place that day with the Applicant who asked to defer the application as they wished to reduce the amount of dwellings on the site from four to three. Whilst the development site could provide satisfactory space for four dwellings similar to the previous approved application, the applicant was unable to obtain land in private ownership and as such sought to amend the scheme to applicants land ownership only, reducing the width of the access road and reducing the number of dwellings served from this private drive, making this a deliverable scheme    A draft amended layout was handed to the Members and the speakers for their perusal.  As members had debated the scheme at the previous meeting, and undertaken a site visit that afternoon, the Planning Officer sought the views of Members and speakers to consider the proposed reduced numbers and any other necessary amendments, to revise the scheme and re-consult in accordance with the requirements for consultation. .  It was a vacant, overgrown site sufficient for the dwellings with a private access route.  Members had seen the land differences on the site visit which had taken prior to the meeting.

Councillor S Millward-Thomas spoke against the application on behalf of Ketley Parish Council who raised concerns regarding the late submission of the amended plan.  The Parish Council were not opposed to the development of the land and welcomed the reduction in numbers but continued to have concerns regarding the size of the dwellings, access, adequate parking and the land being part of the green network.  He asked that the matter be deferred in order that further consultation could take place with the Parish Council and local residents on the revised scheme.

Mr J Edmonds and Mrs F Webb, members of the public, spoke in against the application.  Mr Edmonds raised concerns that they had only been verbally told of the changes to the scheme in the afternoon prior to the meeting.  Despite the reduction there would still be issues regarding the impact on the neighbouring properties, pedestrian safety, lack of access for emergency vehicles and construction traffic.  The strip of land which would be required to widen the access route belonged to him and he did not give permission for this to be use.  The red line hand not been amended on the plan to show this and the proposed new scheme needed to have the red line amended prior to reconsultation.  Mrs Webb raised concerns regarding fire safety guidance and the width of the access needing to be 3.7m, lack of view and recent near misses, issues with bin storage, not in keeping with the surrounding area and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC6

This application was for the erection of 2no. industrial buildings with associated parking on land rear of Merlin House, Halesfield 19, Halesfield, Telford, Shropshire.

The application was before the Planning Committee as it was subject to a S106 Agreement relating to financial contributions.

Councillors J Jones and D W left the room during the deliberations.

The Planning Officer informed Members that this application was for 2 general industrial units (use class B2) collectively totalling 1,900 sq metres.  It was proposed that each unit be split into 4 smaller start up units for small to medium sized companies and start up businesses.  There were a total of 48 car parking spaces which was considered sufficient.  S106 contributions were sought towards highways.  No objections had been received.

Upon being put to the vote it was, unanimously:-

RESOLVED – that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant planning permission subject to the following:

a)         the applicant/landowners entering into a Section 106 agreement with the Local Planning Authority (subject to indexation from the date of committee with terms to be agreed by the Development Management Service Delivery Manager) relating to:

i)          Highway contribution of £12,638.30 towards the Telford Growth Point Package relating to the Naird, Randlay Interchange and / or the Brockton Loop, payable upon the commencement of development, indexed and any unspent monies after 5 years refunded to the applicant;

b)        the conditions contained within the report (with authority to finalise conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to Development Management Service Delivery Manager).

This application was for the installation and display of 11no. non-illuminated parking information signs at Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc, Gresham Drive, Newdale, Telford, TF3 5ES. 

This application had been called in by Lawley & Overdale Parish Council.

Councillor J Greenaway spoke against the application on behalf of Lawley & Overdale Parish Council who raised concerns regarding the public information signs and the relationship to the ANPR camera application TWC/2018/0714 Members had refused and was currently with the Planning Inspectorate awaiting a decision.  The signs would have a detrimental impact on the local area, local residents, infrastructure and highway safety, local businesses and would cause the displacement of cars to other areas within Lawley.  Signs had previously been refused due to the design codes and would have a negative impact on the local GP surgery, shops, local centre and the Lawley Running Club.  This was a community car park and as the car park was never full the signage was unnecessary and a money making exercise.

Mr J Yorke, a member of the public, spoke against the application as this was a community car park owned by Santander Bank.  The Planning Inspector’s decision regarding ANPR had not yet been made and the signs referred to private property and sought to impose and enforce limits to the car park.   The car park was an integral part of the grand plan and there were stringent planning conditions in place and would have an impact on the unfettered community use of the car park.  It would have a detrimental impact on highways, traffic and the bus route.  The car park was the beating heart of the community and felt that this application should be rejected.

Ms S Lowe, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the application and explained that the application had been amended and was for 11 non-illuminated signs which were compliant with the development plan.  The subject matter of the signs was not relevant to this application and was not a material consideration and she agreed with the Officer’s balanced report.

The Planning Officer informed Members that the number of signs had reduced from 19 to 11 and was for a series of adverts only.  An application for 23 signs had been previously refused on visual grounds and it was hoped that the reduction in the number of signs would address previous concerns.  There were no highway impact and no technical reasons to reject the application.

The Highways Officer informed Members that they had no objection in principle as this application was on private land and there was no highway consequence for the installation of the signs.

During the debate some Members had sympathy with the small businesses and residents and raised concerns with the impact of the signs would displace the parking to other areas.  Other Members felt that the signs were not in accordance with the design code and would cause visual clutter and was against Policy BE1(1) of the Local Plan.  It would not enhance the visual amenity  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC8

This application was for the erection of 15no. dwellings and garages with associated access on land East and South East of Sheldar/Covings/The Old Stables, Back Lane, Tibberton, Newport.

Councillor Stephen Burrell had requested that this application be determined by the Planning Committee.

Councillor N Eyles spoke against the application on behalf of Tibberton & Cherrington Parish Council who raised concerns regarding the density, the height of the development, access, increased traffic movements, the single car track with only 1 passing place, the lane being used as a shortcut and it was requested that the number of dwellings be reduced.

Councillor S Burrell, Ward Councillor, whilst he acknowledged that the outline permission had already been granted, he raised concerns regarding the access of Back Lane, the lack of regard to the neighbours at Covings and Sheldar and he echoed the concerns of the Parish Council.  He raised further concerns regarding footpath which remained on the updated site plan.  He questioned what benefits Tibberton would be receiving from this development and if the S106 monies could be spent within the village of Tibberton.

Mr H Thorne, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application which already had consent for 14 dwellings and this application was an increase of 1 dwelling which would then become a mix of 15no. 2, 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings.  The access would now be via Plantation Road which was more acceptable and now had passing places.  He confirmed he would take on board the comments regarding the removal of the footpath from the plan and considered that the development was acceptable and included 2 bungalows and provided 5 affordable housing units.  Section 106 monies would be spent wisely on the local highway.

The Planning Officer informed Members there were no technical objections and a S106 agreement had been secured towards education in the sum of £85,000, £28,000 for highway improvements and £9,000 for play equipment and there 5 affordable housing units amounting to 35%.

The Highways Officer informed Members that the access onto Plantation Road was an improvement to the previous access onto Back Lane.  Work towards the footpath and the Right of Way to the School would take place and that a further passing place had been installed to the left of the access on Plantation Road.  Highway contributions would go towards the pot for the work taking place on the B5062.

During the debate some Members whilst accepting that the site would be developed, raised concerns regarding the increased highway traffic onto Plantation Road, the lack of passing places and what was the timescale for the B5062 improvement scheme and when the passing places would be installed.  Other Members asked if the S106 monies would be spent on the village of Tibberton for the benefit of the residents but were content with the mix of 15 dwellings which is what a village scheme should be.

The Highways Officer explained that the footway works would need to be completed prior to occupation of the first dwelling.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC8a