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At a meeting of the DEVELOPMENT PANEL held in The Oval Centre, Salterbeck, Workington on Thursday 7 August 2003 at 2.00 pm.
Members
Mr G H Sewell (Chairman)
Mr P Bales Mr I A Humes Mr J Cowell Mrs C M Jackson Mr M Davidson Mr R Jones Mr I W Francis Mrs J Macleod Mr J Gardner Mrs J Minto Mr R A Hobbs Mrs M A Snaith Mrs A Holmes Mr K Sproat
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P G Kendall, R Munby, D K Thompson and M G Wood.
STAFF PRESENT
N Fardon, T Graham, S Money and R Outhwaite.
91 MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings held on 3 April 2003, 5 June 2003 and 3 July 2003 were signed as a correct record.
92 DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillors P Bales, M Davidson, I A Humes and R Jones declared a personal interest in planning application 2/2003/0458, 2/2003/0656, 2/2003/0721, 2/2003/0725 and Item 6 Extension to Brow Top Conservation Area, Workington due to being members of Workington Town Council.
Councillors J Cowell and G Scott declared a personal interest in planning application 2/2003/0577 due to being members of Wigton Town Council.
Councillor M Jackson declared a personal interest in planning applications 2/2003/0484, 2/2003/0634, 2/2003/0635 and 2/2003/0637 due to being a member of Cockermouth Town Council.
Councillor J MacLeod declared a prejudicial interest in planning application 2/2003/0725 due to her involvement during an application/enquiry of the Cloffocks Greenfield Registration.
Councillor G Sewell declared a prejudicial interest in planning applications 2/2003/0686 due to his involvement at the enquiry. Planning application 2/2003/0721 due to being a member of County Guardian. Planning application 2/2003/0726 due to being a member of the Allhallows Centre Management Committee.
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Councillor K Sproat declared a prejudicial interest in planning applications 2/2003/0484 as the applicant was a relative. Planning application 2/2003/0637 due to his acquaintance with the applicant and workforce.
93 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The following objectors/applicants addressed the Panel.
Mr B Armstrong Payne outlined his objections to application 2/2003/0484. The applicant, Mr S Rayson exercised his right of reply.
Lisa Taylor outlined her objections to application 2/2003/0637. The applicant Mr S Cusack, Alpha Design exercised his right of reply.
Mr H Martin outlined his objection to application 2/2003/0721. The agent, Mr U Cameron, Wind Prospect exercised his right of reply.
Mr D J King outlined his objection to application 2/2003/0725. The applicant, Mr T Clancy, Harrison Developments exercised his right of reply.
94 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Panel considered individual reports from the Head of Planning Services regarding fourteen applications for planning permission.
Planning Reference Description Decision
2/2003/0140 Outline application for the erection of a Approve detached dwelling, as amended by letter and plans received on 23 May 2003. Plot between Rosebank and Wandinanga Great Clifton Workington
2/2003/0458 External alterations to provide Approve ‘torchlights’ to entrance, and eaves lighting (Retrospective), as amended by plans received 16 May 2003 and letter and plans received 28 May 2003. The Jailhouse Washington Street Workington.
A letter had been received from the applicant withdrawing the ‘torchlights’ from the application.
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Councillor K Sproat declared a prejudicial interest in the following application and left the meeting whilst it was considered.
2/2003/0484 Erection of two storey domestic Approve extension and detached garage, as amended by letter and plan received 17 June 2003. 28 Dalton Street Cockermouth.
2/2003/0577 Erection of 3 bedroom bungalow for the Approve disabled. Land adjacent to 1 Eden Close Wigton.
2/2003/0580 Outline application for erection of Refuse detached dwelling. Land to front of Rowanbank Caravan Park Beckfoot Silloth.
P Bales moved that the application be refused. This was seconded by I Francis.
J Cowell moved that the application be approved. This was seconded by M Snaith.
A vote was taken, 11 in favour of refusal, 2 in favour of approval.
The motion in favour of refusal was carried.
Reasons: 1. The Local Planning Authority considers the proposal constitutes residential development in an area of open countryside outside the designated settlement limits without any demonstrated employment or local need justification and therefore would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the open countryside contrary to Policies HS4 and E20 of the Allerdale Local Plan and Policies 1 and 25 of the Cumbria & Lake District Joint Structure Plan.
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2. If allowed it would act as an adverse precedent for similar non- essential residential development proposals in the open countryside to the detriment of its visual amenity.
3. The Local Planning Authority consider insufficient evidence has been submitted to demonstrate a satisfactory means of foul drainage for the site contrary to Policy HS9 of the Allerdale Local Plan.
2/2003/0634 Conversion of existing main buildings Refuse and nursery to residential with associated access and parking. (re- submission). Land at Strawberry How Business Centre Lorton Road Cockermouth.
Officers’ recommendation was approval.
M Jackson moved that the application be refused. This was seconded by J Minto.
I Francis moved that the application be approved. This was seconded by A Homes.
A vote was taken, 11 in favour of refusal, 4 in favour of approval.
The motion in favour of refusal was carried.
Reason : The proposed development would result in the loss of an existing employment site contrary to adopted Structure Plan Policy 34.
2/2003/0635 Listed building consent for alteration, Approve extension and partial demolition of existing buildings at Strawberry How Business Centre Lorton Road Cockermouth.
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K Sproat moved that the application be approved. This was seconded by P Bales.
C Jackson moved that the application be refused. This was seconded by J Cowell.
A vote was taken, 7 in favour of approval, 7 in favour of refusal. The Chairman used his casting vote in favour of approval.
The motion in favour of approval was carried.
Councillor K Sproat declared a prejudicial interest in the following application and left the meeting whilst it was considered.
2/2003/0637 Variation of condition of planning Defer – approval 2/1996/0460 to revise parking site visit layout and delivery hours, as amended by letters and plans received 17 July 2003 and 21 July 2003. Build Direct & DIY Ltd New Road Cockermouth.
2/2003/0656 Renewal of temporary consent Approve 2/1998/0571 for the staging of speedway racing and the provision of additional pit area. Derwent Park Stadium Workington
Condition : Permission granted for 3 years.
Councillor G Sewell declared a prejudicial interest in the following 3 applications and left the meeting whilst they were considered.
Councillor P Bales took the Chair.
2/2003/0686 Outline application for residential Approve development. Land at Brayton Road Aspatria.
2/2003/0721 Erection of 2 no. wind turbines, Defer – foundations and access track. Voridian site visit England Ltd Workington Road Siddick Workington.
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The Officers’ recommendation was approval.
Councillor I Humes moved that the application be refused. This was seconded by J Minto.
J Cowell moved that the application be deferred for a site visit. This was seconded by K Sproat.
A vote was taken 9 in favour of a site visit.
The motion in favour of a site visit was carried.
2/2003/0726 Demolition of redundant club building Approve and erection of 3 terraced houses with garages. Fletchertown Social Club Fletchertown Aspatria
2/2003/0724 Conversion of barn to dwelling Refuse (resubmission). East End Farm Beckfoot, Silloth
Reasons: 1) The Local Planning Authority consider the proposed conversion of the barn into a dwellinghouse without any demonstrated essential agricultural employment need would result in a sub- standard level of amenity for the occupiers of the proposed dwellinghouse from the operations of the existing farm contrary to Policies EN7, EN20 and RHS2 of the Allerdale Local Plan and contrary to Policies 1 and 25 of the Cumbria & Lake District Joint Structure Plan.
2) If allowed the proposal would act as an adverse precedent for similar non- essential residential conversion of barns on established farm sites to the detriment of their occupiers.
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3) In the absence of details on the means of foul drainage, the Local Planning Authority consider insufficient evidence has been provided to verify a satisfactory means of foul drainage for the proposed development contrary to Policy HS9 of the Allerdale Local Plan.
Councillor J Macleod declared a prejudicial interest in the following application and left the meeting while it was considered.
2/2003/0725 Outline application for the demolition Approve of existing St Johns Precinct and redevelopment to provide new shops and car park with revised details of siting and access. Land at Workington Town Centre St Johns Precinct Workington.
In addition to the above planning application 2/2003/0725 Councillor P Bales moved that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not undertaken on the development. This was seconded by Councillor J Minto.
Councillor M Davidson moved that an Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken on the development.
A vote was taken, 10 in favour of not undertaking an EIA, 3 in favour of undertaking an EIA.
The motion in favour of not undertaking an EIA was carried.
RESOLVED - That an Environmental Impact Assessment would not be undertaken.
95 EXTENSION TO BROW TOP CONSERVATION AREA, WORKINGTON
The Head of Planning Services submitted a report which sought approval to extend the Brow Top Conservation Area, Workington to include the former Workington Brewery and Wines and Spirit Warehouse. The Brow Top Conservation Area was designated in 1974, despite changes in the character of the area, no major conservation losses had occurred following this designation. 77
Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 placed a duty on planning authorities to review their conservation areas from time to time. It was proposed that the boundary of the Conservation Area be extended to encompass the disused Brewery site, containing the grade II listed Tower and Maltings, along with the Wines and Spirits Warehouse. Potential new uses were being investigated for this site and it was hoped that through the extension of the Brow Top Conservation Area heritage grant funding could be channelled towards the building to ensure that any rehabilitation scheme contained works that would enhance and protect the important heritage significance of the building.
RECOMMENDED – That the Executive and Council be requested to approve the extension to the designated area as shown on the plan attached to the report to extend the Brow Top Conservation Area to include the former Workington Brewery and Wines and Spirits Warehouse.
(The meeting closed at 3.30 pm).