PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 15 June 2020 via Zoom, 7.30pm

Members ✓= Present X = Absent A = Apologies

Mrs S Bell (CHAIR) ✓ Mr T Kinloch ✓ Mr P Costello ✓ Mr R Schmid ✓ Mr A Carter (VICE CHAIR) ✓ Mrs S Emery ✓ Mr J Rayner ✓

In Attendance ✓= Present A = Apologies

Mrs L Fox (CLERK) ✓ Mrs K Sitara (CLERICAL OFFICER) ✓ Ms A Wallerstrom (FINANCE OFFICER) ✓ Mr C Hibbitt ✓ Mr J Weymouth ✓

ACTION

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

1.1 NOTED The election of Chair will take place at the next Annual Parish Council meeting. In the current circumstances the Chair, Mrs S Bell will continue in the current role of Chair. Mr A Carter will continue in the current role of Vice Chair.

2. PUBLIC FORUM

2.1 NOTED it was noted that there were no members of the public present.

3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

3.1 NOTED apologies were noted above.

4. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING – 16 March 2020

4.1 NOTED it was noted that the minutes of the Planning & Development Committee meeting held on 16 March 2020 were agreed as an accurate record.

4.2 NOTED it was proposed by Cllr J Rayner and seconded by Cllr P Costello that the agreed minutes be approved and signed.

5. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

5.1 NOTED the committee noted that there were no declarations of interest.

6. TERMS OF REFERENCE

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6.1 NOTED It was noted that the terms of reference for the committee had been circulated to all members of the committee.

6.2 AGREED It was agreed that the reference to the parish action plan should now be removed as this is outdated. Reference to the neighbourhood plan and design guide should be added to the terms of reference.

The Clerk to update the terms of reference accordingly. The Clerk

6.2 AGREED All members agreed the terms of reference.

7. PROGRESS CHECK

7.1 NOTED it was noted that there were no additional points on the progress check.

8. PLANNING

The following applications were ratified. These applications have been consulted on electronically during the Covid 19 lockdown period.

a. 20/00324/FUL 20.03.20 2 Redwood Drive, Writtle. Replacement of existing boundary fencing and construction of part new fence to a height of 1.82m.

The committee object to some of this fencing if it will face Ongar Road, without any hedging/ trees being retained to the road frontage that preserve the character of this part of Ongar Road.

b. 20/00394/FUL 17.03.20 17 Romans Way, Writtle. Retrospective application for the construction of an outbuilding.

The committee object to this application on the basis that this was originally land beyond the gardens of several properties in Romans Way, where there is a restriction within the planning permission for the change of use to garden land so that the construction of buildings on this land, for all properties, requiring planning permission. This land is within the green belt. It is considered that the scale and location of the building at the end of the garden occupying almost its full width would be prejudicial to the openness of the green belt and have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area that is generally open, adjacent to the open space Brewhouse Hoppitt.

c. 20/00435/FUL 25.03.20 78 Long Brandocks, Writtle. Single storey side and rear extension

No objections.

d. 20/00398/FUL 26.03.20 Hand Car Wash, Writtle. Demolition of existing sheds. Partial demolition of existing buildings, with the construction of new side extensions to form staff and customer facilities. Construction of single storey outbuildings to provide storage. Installation of additional car parking and car wash bays.

This proposal is in addition to the two undecided applications for the car rental and the proposed sign. The parish council has concerns on this site about further buildings including first floor addition, as well as intensification on a prominent site adjacent to

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the Green Belt, and traffic hazard as a result of this and therefore objects to this application.

e. 20/00238/FUL 07.05.20 15 East View, Writtle. Change of use of property to a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 8 persons.

No objections.

f. 20/00134/FUL 17.04.20 Roxwell Hand Car Wash, Writtle. Amended application Change of use of part hand car wash and vehicle service centre (sui generis) to vehicle rental premises to include the construction of modular building and rental vehicle wash bay, parking and associated works (sui generis).

The committee object to this application for the following reasons. The site is already an existing busy car wash prior to the proposal. Whilst it is appreciated that there is potential to enhance the appearance and the operation of the site to provide a service and contribute to employment provision etc, the parish council has concerns about further buildings especially towards the front of this prominent site. In addition the council maintains it concerns about intensification of this access off the A1060 where the national speed limit applies.

g. 20/00135/ADV 17.04.20 Roxwell Hand Car Wash, Writtle. Installation of internally illuminated signage

The committee object to this application for the following reasons. The proposed sign's location, scale and design is still considered injurious to the appearance of the site and it would be seen from afar.

h. 20/00583/FUL 23.05.20 Montpelier Farm Margaretting Road, Writtle. Change of use of agricultural building to office (B1 use class). Alterations to roofline and external elevations.

No objections.

i. 20/00163/FUL 28.04.20 Jubilee Farm, Writtle. Amended Plan. Demolition of existing dwellings and equestrian centre. Construction of 6No. new dwellings with associated landscaping, access, garages, parking and amenity space.

No objections.

j. Licensing Application. Land Adjacent Hylands Park and A414, Writtle. Details – The variation is to: remove the limit of number of events permitted to be held each year. The premises licence currently has the following condition: licensable activities authorised under the licence shall only take place on a maximum of three weekends (to include Friday, Saturday and Sunday) in any calendar year.

The committee strongly object to this application. If this is approved, it would allow many events in an area visited by potentially uncontrolled number of people from Friday to Monday, as well as during the week. The principal concerns are:

• The Margaretting Road is a very busy road, a cut through to the A12, where in places it is narrow and there are no pavements/street lighting. The number of events planned would result in a serious safety issue for an uncontrolled

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number of event attendees, plus those involved in the actual event, at all hours of the day and night, as well as impact on safety for existing users of the road. • The event itself, particularly where people are leaving the event late at night, would also cause disruption and loss of amenity due to noise to local residents and the village as a whole. • This is an attractive area with the backdrop of Hylands Park where there will be an adverse visual impact if a large number of events are allowed day and night.

9. PLANNING

a. 18/00001/MAS Strategic Growth Site 2 – West , Land North of Warren House, Roxwell Road Writtle.

This application was discussed in detail. The Planning & Development Committee, Parish Council and Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group would all respond jointly to this application.

Cllr S Bell to draft a response and send to the Clerk and Clerical Officer for submission. Cllr S Bell

The Writtle Parish Council consultee response can be found as an appendix to these minutes. It can also be located on the Writtle Parish Council website and under the consultee comments on the Chelmsford City Council electronic records for this masterplan.

10. UPDATE ON PLANNING DECISIONS

10.1 NOTED It was noted that the latest Chelmsford City Council Enforcement Schedule (Complaints) had been circulated.

11. VILLAGE PLAQUES

11.1 AGREED It was agreed that the Clerical Officer will write to the homeowners to request their written authorisation for the heritage plaques to now be fixed to their homes. Clerical Officer

12. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

12.1 NOTED it was noted that the there were no items for the next agenda.

13. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

13.1 NOTED it was noted that the next meeting of the Planning & Development Committee will be on held on Monday 20 July 2020at 7.30pm via Zoom.

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MEETING CONCLUDED 8.10pm

Signed: ______

For and on behalf of Writtle Parish Council

Date: ______

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