Issue - meetings

Demolition of Red House to allow for proposed Community Hub Building incorporating cafe/tea rooms with community and social centre and 3no. one bedroom flats above. Use of land as community car park.

It was reported that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Bush.

It was reported that, previously, planning application 18/01046/FUL had been refused for a similar scheme. Proposed amendments to that scheme included the car parking area being reduced to accommodate 12 vehicles, the removal of the recycling container and the vehicular access point adjacent to ‘Elberns’ had been reduced to pedestrian access only.

It was further reported that a Structural Report had also been undertaken, while changes to the design of the replacement building had been incorporated by replacing the previous UPVC windows and modern door with timber joinery in a painted finish, and smaller dormers. Further, the dining room had been reduced from being able to seat 40 people to 20 people, with the additional area to be utilised as a community and social area.

The Committee had before it the published Officer report containing the key planning issues, relevant planning policies, planning history, any response from consultees, written representations received and a recommendation of refusal.

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Planning Team Leader (AN) in respect of the application.

An update sheet had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting with details of:

(1)   An email that had been received from the agent; and

(2)   Changes to the reasons for refusal contained in the Officer’s report.

Tom Howard, a local resident, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Bush, declared a Pecuniary Interest in relation to Planning Application 19/00090/FUL by virtue of the fact that he was the local Ward Member and also a Stakeholder and a member of the Management Committee of Great Oakley Community Hub Ltd, a not for profit organisation.

Councillor Bush spoke in favour of the application and then withdrew from the meeting whilst the Committee deliberated on the application and reached its decision.

Peter Le Grys, the agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Following discussion by the Committee, it was moved by Councillor Everett, seconded by Councillor V E Guglielmi and RESOLVED that consideration of this application be deferred for the following reasons:

·        Need for improved design, particularly relating to the street scene; and

·        Full Structural Appraisal required to provide evidence of compliance with Policy EN20.