The Committee is asked to note any apologies for absence and substitutions received from Members.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor McWilliams (with no substitution).

To confirm and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Committee, held on Tuesday, 9 July 2024.

It was moved by Councillor Alexander, seconded by Councillor Sudra and:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee, held on Tuesday 9 July 2024, be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests of Non-Registerable Interests, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

Councillor Fowler (Chairman) declared for the public record, in relation to the Planning Application A.1 – 23/01757/FUL – 610 Main Road, Harwich, CO12 4LW that due to her being the Ward Member and being predetermined, she therefore would not participate in the Committee’s deliberations and decision making for this application and that Councillor White (Vice-Chairman) would take over as Chairman for this item.

Subject to providing two working days’ notice, a Member of the Committee may ask the Chairman of the Committee a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the Tendring District and which falls within the terms of reference of the Committee.

There were no such Questions on Notice submitted by Councillors on this occasion.

Change of use from a dance studio to a Mosque-Community Centre, including addition of a pergola roof over the side access.

Earlier on in the meeting as reported under Minute 19 above, Councillor Fowler had declared for the public record that she was the Ward Member and was predetermined. She therefore withdrew from the meeting and took no part whilst the Committee deliberated and made its decision on this application. The Chair was thereupon occupied by the Vice-Chairman (Councillor White).

The Committee was informed that the application was before the Planning Committee at the discretion of the Head of Planning & Building Control and that it sought full planning permission for the change of use from a dance studio (Class E(d)) to a mosque community centre (Classes F1(a), F1(f) and F2(b)). As part of the proposal external works included the erection of a pergola to the side (east) of the building over the side access, and the installation of the rear elevation windows at ground floor level.

Officers felt that the proposal would result in the retention of a community facility that was currently vacant and that the building would be used in part as a place of worship. Furthermore, the principle of development was supported by local and national planning policies.

Members were made aware that the proposal involved only minor external alterations and following the submission of amended drawings to remove the proposed timber cladding, ECC Heritage had raised no objections. In addition, whilst there were neighbouring properties within the surrounding area, the external alterations and noise associated with the proposal were not considered to be so harmful as to justify Officers recommending a refusal on that basis.

The Committee was advised that ECC Highways had initially required additional information before being able to provide formal comments; however, following the submission of additional details related to the previous and proposed usage of the site, including vehicular movements, they had raised no objections. Officers acknowledged that there was no parking provision, but also gave weight to the fact that the existing use of the site equally had had no parking provision, and also that the existing lawful use likely had had additional users to the use being proposed.

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 approval.

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Senior Planning Officer (MP) in respect of the application.

An update sheet had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting including a letter from Councillor J Henderson (Ward Member) which was as follows-

“I would like to add as one of the ward Councillors, I have no objection to the planning application 23/01757/FUL. The summary in the agenda item 1.4 regarding ECC Highways, states they raise no objections.” 

In addition, the update sheet reported that one further letter of support had been received.

Azad Azam, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

Christina Richardson, a member of the public, spoke against the application.