Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2019, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the following application for planning permission and, in accordance with its powers and duties, made the decision described below.

It was noted that this application was deferred by the Development Control Committee on 5 March 2019, so that further clarification could be provided on the impacts of this development to the conservation area, and in particular, whether the proposal would be out of character in the conservation area.  Consideration of the item was being treated as a new hearing and not a resumed hearing.  This meant that representations by speakers could be repeated and the applicant could also speak.  Additionally, any Member not present at the last meeting of the Committee could take part in determining the matter.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.

Officers referred Members to the additional paragraphs to the existing report, highlighted in bold at the beginning of the report.  Additionally, the site plans for two previous refusals of planning permission referred to in the last meeting by objectors, were included within the plans pack.  It was noted that Members had received a full copy of the retained Conservation Advisor’s advice; copies of which were available for members of the public in the public gallery. 

Since the publication of the agenda, Officers advised that the concerns they had over certain design features had been addressed, so the  amendments would be secured by conditions.   They also confirmed that the applicant would retain control over the site to allow the development to be carried out.  The reasons for site level and accessibility work not being justified on the site were noted.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Campbell, who represented a community group called Friends of Halton Village, objecting to the scheme.    He had returned to the Committee to advise that Friends of Halton Village had read the updated statement from the Conservation Adviser and the group was still of the opinion that residents of Halton Village should be heard, as they were best placed to know if the development was in keeping with the Village.  He insisted that the development would not add character to and was not in keeping with the Conservation Area status of Halton Village.  In addition he argued that the plans were poor and questioned the need for this type of dwelling on the property market, in a village setting.

The Committee was then addressed by Mr Groves, who spoke on behalf of the applicant.  He stated that the site was set back from the main road and would have no harmful impact on the Conservation Area.   He argued that the issues raised were not material planning considerations; the plans were sound with all technical requirements met; and made reference to alterations already made to surrounding properties, despite them all being in the Conservation Area.

Councillor Howard then addressed the Committee, speaking in objection to the proposal on behalf of Halton Castle Ward colleague, Councillor E. Cargill and local residents.  It was noted that the third Halton Castle Ward Member was a Member of the Development Control Committee, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.