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

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Smith (with Councillor Sudra substituting).

To confirm and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Committee, held on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.

It was moved by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Goldman and:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee, held on Tuesday 5 August 2025, 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 White informed the Committee that, in relation to Planning Application 24/00560/OUT – Wellwick Site, Colchester Road, St Osyth, CO16 8HS, he was one of the local Ward Councillors but that he was not predetermined and therefore he would remain in the room and take part in the deliberation and decision-making on this application.

Councillor Fower (Chairman) also notified the Committee that, in relation to Planning Application 25/00483/FUL – The Lighthouse, Lower Marine Parade, Dovercourt, Harwich, she was predetermined and that some of the objectors to the application were personally known to her and that therefore she would leave the room and 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 that 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 of land for siting of a single storey modular building for community use.

Earlier on in the meeting as reported under Minute 34 above, Councillor Fowler (Chairman) had notified the Committee that she was predetermined and that some of the objectors to the application were personally known to her and that therefore she would leave the room and would not participate in the Committee’s deliberations and decision making for this application. The Chair was thereupon occupied by the Vice-Chairman (Councillor White).

Members were told that the application sought permission to change the use of part of the land used by The Lighthouse sports and social hub for the siting of a single storey modular building for community use. The new building would allow the expansion of the existing activities year-round and would provide additional secure space for storage for those activities.

The Committee heard that the proposal was not considered by Officers to be harmful to the character and appearance of the area, it would not result in any significant impact to neighbouring amenities, and it was acceptable in terms of flood risk.

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 Planning Officer (AP) in respect of the application.

An Officer Update Sheet had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting which informed the Committee as follows:-

“The existing café/building on The Lighthouse site is connected to the mains sewer and it is proposed to connect the new building in the same way.”

Gary Stanford, the applicant, spoke in favour of the application.

Michelle Kulacz, a member of the public, spoke against the application.

Outline Planning Application (Access only to be considered and all other matters reserved) – Outline planning application for the erection of 37 dwellings, with all matters reserved other than the use of access from Colchester Road (as consented under 20/01124/OUT), associated public space, landscaping and all associated ancillary works.

Earlier on in the meeting as reported under Minute 34 above, Councillor White had informed the Committee that he was one of the local Ward Councillors but that he was not predetermined and that therefore he would remain in the room and take part in the deliberation and decision-making on this application.

The Committee heard that the application sought outline permission (with all matters reserved aside from access) for the erection of 37 dwellings at the Wellwick Site, Colchester Road, St Osyth. The application had come before the Planning Committee as the proposal represented a departure from the local plan policies which governed the location of new housing development.

Members were told that the wider site had planning permission for 190 dwellings, as part of an enabling scheme associated with the restoration of national important heritage assets located at the nearby St Osyth Priory complex.

Officers made Members aware that the application proposed a further 37 dwellings on two parcels of land, which formed part of the previously consented scheme. Again, the development had been promoted as enabling development to fund further works, particularly to the Abbot’s Lodgings at St Osyth Priory.

In summary, the principle of residential development in that location was already established and the access point was already consented. The proposal would represent a sustainable and proportionate development which, like the consented scheme, would serve as enabling development to fund further restoration works at St Osyth Priory. In that respect, there was an identified and agreed need for such enabling development.

The Committee was informed that there were no overriding objections from any statutory consultees and no objections had been received from St Osyth Parish Council or third parties.

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 Planning Team Leader (ML) in respect of the application.

There were no updates circulated to Members on this occasion.

Harriet Vincent-Wilson, the applicant, spoke in favour of the application.

Install 2m high fencing in rear garden.

Members were told that the proposal sought planning permission to erect 2-metre-high close boarded fencing along the rear and side boundaries of 22 Victoria Crescent, Lawford. Planning permission was required as the fence exceeded 1 metre in height and would be sited adjacent to a highway, and the item was before the Planning Committee as Tendring District Council was the landowner.

Officers made Members aware that the proposed works would not result in significant visual harm occurring to the character and appearance of the area, nor would it pose detrimental harm to existing neighbouring amenities.

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 Head of Planning and Building Control (JP-G) in respect of the application.

There were no updates circulated to Members on this occasion.

There were no speakers on this occasion.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Wiggins and unanimously:-

RESOLVED that:-

1)    the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions as stated at paragraph 10.2 in the Officer report (A.3), or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects, including appropriate updates, so long as the principle of the conditions as referenced is retained; and

2)    the sending of any informative notes to the applicant as may be deemed necessary.