MINUTES
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on
15 February 2021 at 7.30pm Via Zoom – Meeting Link:- https://zoom.us/j/94215728952?pwd=M1VVM3hscE82UWhWOHVmUmdYRklhZz09
Meeting ID:- 942 1572 8952 Password:- 949849
Present:- Cllr Carter (Chair). Cllr Crocker, Mr Duncombe, Cllr Finan & Mr Harris
Absent:- Cllr Knox-Scott
In Attendance:- Mrs J Simmonds (Clerk)
Also Present:- 9 Members of Public
065/PL/21 Items by Members of Public Present.
The meeting is open to the public and press and the first 15 minutes will be reserved, if required, for public comment.
2 members of public from Fulmer Parish Council spoke about an application in their Parish from The West London
Model Aircraft Club to use the land at The Pickeridge. Item 72 to be brought forward.
7 members of public were here to talk about application number PL/20/1659/FA and one spoke on everyone’s behalf
reading out a statement of objection. This item to be taken first after item 72.
066/PL/21 Apologies for Absence
None
067/PL/21 Declarations of Interest
Members to declare any personal interest in any item of business as defined in the Code of Conduct 2007. If that interest is a prejudicial interest as defined in the Code, the member should withdraw from the meeting for that item.
Cllr Carter declared an interest in application PL20/2133/FA as her own application and did not take part in commenting.
068/PL/21 Minutes
RESOLVED to Approve the Minutes of the Planning Meeting held on 18 January 2021 which will be signed by The Chairman.
069/PL/21 Planning Applications
(i) RESOLVED to approve delegated decisions submitted for Planning Applications for which the response date was prior to this Committee Meeting. See Appendix 1.
(ii) RESOLVED to consider and formulate a response to new Planning Applications received. See Appendix 2. Plus amended plans for information only.
070/PL/21 NOTED Planning Decisions, Enforcements and Appeals.
District Decisions made since the last Planning Committee Meeting. See Appendix 3.
071/PL/21 NOTED Outstanding Enforcements See Appendix 4.
072/PL/21 Correspondence.
Email from Fulmer Parish Council informing of an application at The Pickeridge, to decide any comments to be submitted. AGREED that the committee would support the application and compile comments for the Clerk to submit.
Email from MPC regarding the development at Wexham Park Golf Course asking for a meeting, circulated, to decide response. AGREED that there was no desire to meet MPC as comments of objection had already been submitted.
073/PL/21 Exclusion of the Press & Public
Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 RESOLVEDto exclude the press and public from the following business because publicity would prejudice the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business. Part two items:- To discuss any possible unlawful buildings or business’s which have not been granted enforcement notices and therefore are not public.
NOTED Next meeting date: 15 March 2021
Meeting ended at 9.15pm
Signed/Chairman Dated
APPENDIX 1
DELEGATED DECISIONS
APPENDIX 2
NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
PL/20/1659/FA Top Cottage, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4PX
Demolition of existing dwelling house and erection of a new dwelling house and detached garage. AMENDED PLAN.
Parish Comments:- OBJECT Policies TR5 EP3 H9 C8 NPPF Sec16 all apply.
We believe this proposal would adversely affect the character and amenities of the street scene and the locality in general. It would fail to add positively to the features of the site itself and the surrounding environment.
Top Cottage has been identified as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset status fully supported by Historic England . This status enhances the general locality and adds worth and a such should be protected. The new proposal adds no value and is over dominant, obtrusive and does not respect the space it sits in. A replacement dwelling would need to be of an acceptable design seeking to preserve the character of the locality in general, the proposal fails to achieve this.
There are concerns over access to the proposed site as is sits in a narrow track with no turning space.
Section 16 of the NPPF considers, inter alia, buildings of local historic value. In particular clause 184 states that these assets are an irreplaceable resource which should be conserved in manner appropriate to their significance so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.
NPPF clause 192 states that in determining applications the local planning authority should take account of the desirability of sustaining a heritage asset, the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make and the desirability of new developments making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness. We would suggest that on this last point this application falls woefully short of meeting that criteria.
Harm to heritage assets is further considered in paragraphs 193 to 202. In particular paragraph 197 advices that balanced planning judgements should be taken having regard to the significance of non-designated heritage assets and the scale of any harm or loss. Clause 194 specifically states that any harm or loss should require a clear and convincing justification.
Paragraph 195 of the NPPF is also very clear. It states that where a proposed development would lead to substantial harm or total loss of an asset consent should be refused unless …”it can be demonstrated that ….the loss..is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweighs ….the loss.” That is clearly not the case here.
The applicant states that there is a need for larger family houses in Stoke Poges. The Parish Council wholeheartedly disagree with this. Most new housing stock are large detached 4-6 bedroom houses. There is a shortage of smaller housing suitable for first time buyers and those wishing to down size. Stoke Poges is in need of mixed stock housing and should retain its houses of character and authenticity
PL/20/4437/FA 67 Hazell Way, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL3 4DG
Demolition of existing covered yard, removal of existing chimney, erection of single storey first floor rear extension.
Parish Comments:- Object, We believe this is not in accordance with Appendix 8, 3.1, 7.3 & 7.4.
PL/20/0143/KA Manor House, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4PG
T3 – Oak (Quercus ilex ) x 1 – Reduce south side of the oak to blend with the rest of the crown, reducing some branches up to 2.5 meters (Stoke Park Conservation Area).
Parish Comments:- No objection subject to the Tree Officers report.
PL/21/0034/FA 29 Bunby Road, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4BS
Single storey side/rear extension, insertion of roof lantern and rear bi-folding doors to existing rear extension, front infill extension and alterations to front door and window.
Parish Comments:- No Comment
PL/20/4354/FA 6 Post Office Cottages, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4PP
Formation of Vehicular Access.
Parish Comments:- No Comment
PL/21/0004/FA 8 Home Farm Way, Wexham, Bucks, SL3 6NZ
Single storey side extension and part single/part two storey side and single storey rear extension.
Parish Comments:- No Comment
PL/21/0055/VRC Land at Pinewood Nurseries, Wexham Street, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL3 6NB
Variation of condition 5 (approved plans) of application PL/20/0187/FA (New agricultural building and glasshouse) to allow for removal of the agricultural building from approved plans.
Parish Comments:- No Objections.
PL/21/0213/TP 65 Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4LG
T1 Horse Chestnut – 30% Crown reduction by removing 2m from height and 2m from lateral branches (SBDC TPO 14 of 1987).
Parish Comments:- No objection subject to the Tree Officers report.
PL/21/0120/FA Barton Turf, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4PE
Erection of detached outbuilding in rear garden for use as a gym.
Parish Comments:- No Comment
PL/21/0202/TP The Nonsense House, West End Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4NE
T1 Sweet Chestnut – fell, T2 Beech – reduce crown by 50%, T3 Oak – fell, T4 Oak – crown lift 4 main branches (SBDC TPO 7 of 1988)
Parish Comments:- No objection subject to the Tree Officers report.
PL/21/0211/EU Pinewood Nurseries, Wexham Street, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL3 6NB
Certificate of Lawfulness for existing Use of Land for agriculture to include growing plants, parking agricultural machinery, storage of pots, compost and other items to be used of the horticultural nursery.
Parish Comments:- We have concerns about the applicant stating that this land has been owned and in use for more than 10 years. We believe the Land Registry records should be checked and would urge the Council to do so. To our knowledge this land was recently purchased and not part of the original Pinewood Nurseries.
There are also concerns about the numerous commercial entities renting space on the site, therefore we are not sure if this parcel of land is being rented out or used by the land-owner.
PL/21/0219/FA Pond Cottage, Bells Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4DY
Two storey side extension and front porch canopy.
Parish Comments:- No Objection subject to the Green Belt 50% rules.
PL/20/2133/FA 24 Elizabeth Way, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4LQ
Demolition of existing shed and garden room and erection of new outbuilding.
Parish Comments:- No Comment
AMENDED PLANS FOR INFORMATION
APPENDIX 3
PLANNING DECISIONS
PL/20/3791/FA Pinewood Nurseries, Wexham Street, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL3 6NB
Change of use of land for the parking of private ambulances (retrospective).
Parish Comments:- Object to another commercial business in the Green Belt, Policies GB1, GB4 GB9 (c) & EP3 (f) all apply.
Hereby Refuse Permission
PL/20/2457/OA Home Farm, School Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4QA
Outline Application for two dwellings (all matters reserved)
Parish Council Comments: Object. This proposal, if permitted, would be likely to act as a precursor of further
applications for similar types of development within this part of the Green Belt, which the Planning Authority would find
increasingly difficult to resist and which, cumulatively, would seriously prejudice the openness of the Green Belt and the
aims and objectives of Green Belt policy.
Furthermore, this proposal would, by virtue of the resultant size and scale of the building when considered in relation to the original building and its potential intrusive impact upon its setting in the landscape, contribute to the erosion of the Green Belt which, individually and when considered in the context of an accumulation of similar proposals, would detrimentally affect the aims and objectives of the Green Belt.
Hereby Refuse Permission
PL/20/4146/FA 132 Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4LN
Single storey read/side/front extension including porch.
Parish Comments:- No Comment
Hereby Permits
APPEALS
PL/19/1634/FA & PL/19/3599/FA Macs Farm, Farthing Green Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4JQ
Change of use of the existing ancillary outbuilding to an independent dwelling (Use Class C3).
Parish Comments: – Our previous comments still apply which were: – Subject to waiving of previous approval: PL/18 4398 FA also subject to confirmation that the conversions have not been undertaken.
Also, the proposal constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt, which by definition is harmful. No very special circumstances have been advanced sufficient to warrant an exception to the normal operation of Green Belt policy. As such the proposal is contrary to policies GB1 and GB2 of the South Bucks District Local Plan (adopted March 1999) and section 13 (Protecting Green Belt Land) of the NPPF.
Refusal of Permission
Appeal Lodged 27/4/2020 – APP/N0410/W/20/3245197
Parish Comments to Appeal Process and Planning Inspectorate: –
Amendment written reps to original comments by 1st June 2020. As this is an appeal, we believe our previous comments as above are still valid.
This proposal constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt, which by definition is harmful. No very special circumstances have been demonstrated sufficient to warrant an exception to the normal operation of Green Belt policy. As such the proposal is contrary to policies GB1 and GB2 of the South Bucks District Local Plan (adopted March 1999) and section 13 (Protecting Green Belt Land) of the NPPF. 2.
26/10/2020 – Virtual Hearing Date 10am on 10 November 2020, anticipated to last two days.
27/10/2020 – Hearing deferred due to exceptional circumstances.
Hearing now 24 February 2021 – Virtually