Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and substitutes.

Where a Member of the Committee is unable to attend a substitute Member may attend, speak and vote in their place at that meeting.

Members are advised that in order for a substitute to be arranged a Member must give four (4) clear working-days’ notice of their apologies.

For this meeting the latest date apologies can be given for a substitute to be arranged is Tuesday 27 February 2024.

There were no apologies for absence received.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2024, and published on the councils website, as correct record of the meeting

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting on 7 February 2024 were a complete and accurate record.

Officers to update the Committee on any changes to the planning environment of which they should be aware when making decisions.

The Executive Head of Planning Development confirmed that there were no updates to Government Guidance or Legislation since the last meeting.

Erection of funeral ceremony building with associated landscaping and parking

Recommendation

That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Head of Planning Development to grant planning permission subject to suggested, amended or additional conditions.

Erection of funeral ceremony building with associated landscaping and parking.

Decision

Motion proposed By Cllr Carole Cockburn and Seconded by Cllr John Ward to REFUSE the application delegating authority to the Executive Head of Planning Development to finalise the wording.

Reason for refusal:

 “The proposed building due to its size and scale together with its ancillary infrastructure would affect the openness of the site impacting on the character of the area. The proposal would therefore be contrary to Policies FNP1,FNP10,FNP11,12 AND 30 of the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and Policies SP1,SP2 and  DM15 of the Local Plan.”

[The motion was passed with 11 votes in favour, 3 votes against and 1 abstention]

In accordance with the Council’s public speaking scheme, the following made representations which were duly considered:

·        Mrs Catherine Powell – Objection

·        Mr Robert Steele – Support

·        Cllr Alan Earwicker – Farnham Town Council

·        Cllr Tony Fairclough – Ward Councillor

The Committee raised concerns about the size and scale of the proposed building and its ancillary infrastructure i.e. parking and access, the way it sits in the landscape and the impact on the openness of the site and character of the area.

Following the debate, a motion was proposed by Cllr Carole Cockburn to REFUSE the application, delegating authority to the Executive Head of Planning Development to finalise the wording of the refusal. The motion was seconded by Cllr John Ward.

The Committee voted on the motion and it was carried with 11 votes in favour, 3 votes against and 1 abstention.

Decision

Motion proposed By Cllr Carole Cockburn and Seconded by Cllr John Ward to REFUSE the application delegating authority to the Executive Head of Planning Development to finalise the wording.

Reason for refusal:

 “The proposed building due to its size and scale together with its ancillary infrastructure would affect the openness of the site impacting on the character of the area. The proposal would therefore be contrary to Policies FNP1,FNP10,FNP11,12 AND 30 of the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and Policies SP1,SP2 and  DM15 of the Local Plan.”

Erection of 2 dwellings and associated works; extensions and alterations to existing dwelling following demolition of eastern section

Recommendation

That, subject to conditions 1- 13 and informatives 1-4, permission be GRANTED

Erection of 2 dwellings and associated works; extensions and alterations to existing dwelling following demolition of eastern section.

Decision

That, delegated authority be granted to the Executive Head of Planning Development to grant planning permission subject to the amendment to condition 2 to accept an amended plan to remove the balcony proposed to 3, and subject to the amended condition and conditions and informatives included on the officer report, permission be GRANTED.

In accordance with the Council’s public speaking scheme, the following made representations which were duly considered:

·        Mr Tom Nixon – Objection

·        Mr Michael Connolly – Support

The Committee were minded to grant permission contingent upon removal of the proposed balcony, with delegated authority to the Executive Head to Planning to obtain a revised set of plans to have the balcony taken out and to then revise condition 2 to approve the revised plans without the balcony.

The Committee voted on the amended recommendation and it was Approved with 13 votes in favour and 1 abstention. Cllr John Ward excused himself from voting as the Ward Councillor.

Decision

That, delegated authority be granted to the Executive Head of Planning Development to grant planning permission subject to the amendment to condition 2 to accept an amended plan to remove the balcony proposed to 3, and subject to the amended condition and conditions and informatives included on the officer report, permission be GRANTED.

Hybrid application including Full planning application for the erection of 216dwellings, anew farmshop (UseClass E),change ofuse ofexisting farmshop building torural businesshub (UseClass E),provision ofpublic openspace, newsports pitchesand associated infrastructure, landscaping, drainage arrangements, parking and formation of newaccess pointsfollowing thedemolition ofexisting buildings.Outline application(with all mattersreserved exceptaccess) forthe erectionof anew healthhub followingdemolition of theexisting blackbarn

Recommendation

Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Head of Planning Development to grant planning permission subject to conditions (including minor amendments to recommended conditions) and the completion of a legal agreement, securing affordable housing, healthcare hub, off site pedestrian cycle way, sustainable transport provisions, open space, SUDS and playspace maintenance.

Hybrid application including Full planning application for the erection of 216 dwellings, a new farm shop (Use Class E), change of use of existing farm shop building to rural business hub (Use Class E), provision of public open space, new sports pitches and associated infrastructure, landscaping, drainage arrangements, parking and formation of new access points following the demolition of existing buildings. Outline application (with all matters reserved except access) for the erection of a new health hub following demolition of the existing black barn.

Decision

Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Head of Planning Development to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions (including minor amendments to recommended conditions) and the completion of a legal agreement, securing affordable housing, healthcare hub, off site pedestrian cycle way, sustainable transport provisions, open space, SUDS and playspace maintenance.

In accordance with the Council’s public speaking scheme, the following made representations which were duly considered:

·        Cllr Maxine Gale – Ward Councillor

The Executive Head of Planning Development noted that there is a draft legal agreement in process and the expected timeline for completion is 8 weeks. 

The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the Recommendation set out in the report. Cllr Pheobe Sullivan excused herself from the vote as Ward Councillor.

Decision

Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Head of Planning Development to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions (including minor amendments to recommended conditions) and the completion of a legal agreement, securing affordable housing, healthcare hub, off site pedestrian cycle way, sustainable transport provisions, open space, SUDS and playspace maintenance.

Outline Application for erection of up to 12 dwellings and associated works with all matters reserved (as amended by drainage information received 20/08/2021, amended plans and transport statement received 02/11/2022 and drainage and arboricultural information received 17/03/2023) (amended description)

Recommendation

That, subject to the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing, access to and maintenance of play space and public open space, and subject to conditions and informatives, that  outline planning permission be GRANTED

Outline Application for erection of up to 12 dwellings and associated works with all matters reserved.

Decision

That, subject to the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing, access to and maintenance of play space and public open space, and subject to conditions and informatives, that  outline planning permission be GRANTED.

The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation set out in the report, with 15 votes in favour.

Decision

That, subject to the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing, access to and maintenance of play space and public open space, and subject to conditions and informatives, that  outline planning permission be GRANTED.

Construction of patio and retaining walls (retrospective)

Recommendation

That  subject to conditions, permission be GRANTED

Construction of patio and retaining walls (retrospective).

Decision

That subject to conditions, permission be GRANTED.

The Chair exercised his discretion to allow representations from the following;

·        Mr Mark Leedale – Support

·        Cllr Steve Williams – Ward Councillor

Following questions and debate, the Committee voted in favour of the Recommendation in the report, with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions.

Decision

That subject to conditions, permission be GRANTED.

That, pursuant to Procedure Rule 20 and in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Committee agrees:

(1)  that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following matter on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the item, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information (as defined by Section 100I of the Act) of the description specified in Paragraph X of the revised Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972; and

(2)  that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider any legal advice relating to any applications in the agenda.