Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephen Hives, James Jones and Richard Mills with no substitutes.  Councillor David Bilbé was also not in attendance.

In accordance with the local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must also withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, you must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

Councillors are further invited to disclose any non-pecuniary interest which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda, in the interests of transparency, and to confirm that it will not affect their objectivity in relation to that matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 July 2024 as attached at Item 3. A copy of the minutes will be placed on the dais prior to the meeting.

The minutes of the Planning Committee held on 17 July 2024 were agreed and signed by the Chairperson as a true and accurate record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee.

The Committee noted the Chairperson’s announcements.

The Committee considered the above-mentioned full application for erection of pair of two-bedroom semi-detached units and a row of three-bedroom x three terrace properties (Revised plans received 4 June 2024 – amended description).

The Committee received a presentation from the Team Leader, Justin Williams and noted that the application had been referred to the Planning Committee because more than 10 letters of objection had been received contrary to the officer’s recommendation.  However, nobody registered to speak in objection or in support of the application.  It was also noted that the objections submitted solely related to the original application for 7 dwellings and were not in relation to the revised application.  The scheme had now been reduced to a total of five dwellings. 

The Committee noted that the residential properties would be located to the north and east of the site with access off Horsham Road.  There was also an access way across the Common which served a number of other properties. The proposal would be based in a similar area to the existing building but would increase the separation distance to the eastern boundary by reduction of the built form with garden areas to the east of the site.  Nine parking spaces would be provided which was in excess of the adopted parking standards.  Planning officers were satisfied that the proposal would not materially harm the character of the area, the visual amenity of the streetscene nor the amenities of the residents in the adjacent properties.  The application was therefore considered to comply with the policies in the Local Plan and was recommended for approval.

The Committee discussed the application and received confirmation that the terrace of 3 bed properties had been reduced to 2 bed properties.  It was also noted that there were no charging points for E-Bikes or E-Cars as this was not required by legislation.  The Committee noted that residents were also given the opportunity to comment on the revised plans submitted but no objections were received.  The Committee agreed that it made sense to construct residential homes and make use of land that was defined as light industrial.     

The Committee noted the discrete access road to Mitchell’s Row and queried whether the access would be reduced in size and whether the existing parking arrangements for those residents would be affected by the proposed development.  The Committee noted that there would be no further encroachment caused by the development to Mitchell’s Row residents nor would the access be made smaller and that residents could continue to utilise their existing parking arrangements.

The Committee queried condition 7 which related to ground water or soil contamination and whether it was stringent enough.  Confirmation was received that the condition was required to enable Environmental Health to identify if contaminants were present and that this investigation would be carried out.

The Committee noted that the Head of Parks and Countryside did not support the widening of the access.  The applicant was aware that they would need to liaise with the parks  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL5

The Committee considered the above-mentioned full application for installation of 4 air source heat pumps on 1-4 Reindorp Close and 4 air source heat pumps on 5-8 Reindorp Close.

The Committee received a presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, James Tang.  The Committee noted that the application had been referred to it as the applicant was Guildford Borough Council. 

The application consisted of two x two storey buildings that were blocks of flats.  Two air source heat pumps would be installed on the two side elevations of both buildings, with eight air source heat pumps being installed overall.  The air source heat pumps would be installed at ground level which would minimise the visual impact on the streetscene of the area.  Planning officers considered that the proposal would not have any significant impact on the visual amenities of the area nor neighbouring amenities.  No objections had been received from any of the statutory consultees and the application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions as detailed in the agenda.   

The Committee discussed the application and was interested to know if this was the first time air source heat pumps had been installed on Council property.  Planning officers did not have that information to hand.  The Committee noted that sometimes air source heat pumps were not well received by residents owing to the noise generated by them.  Claire Upton-Brown, Joint Assistant Director for Planning stated that she would be happy to provide an update at their next meeting, via the Council’s technical team in housing, regarding the improvements which had been made in the overall efficiencies of air source heat pumps.  Residents could equally be informed and engaged by the Council’s Tenant’s Engagement Group Forum.

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the application which was carried.

In conclusion, having taken consideration of the representations received in relation to this application, the Committee

RESOLVED to approve application 24/P/00772 subject to the conditions as detailed in the agenda.  

Committee members are asked to note the details of Appeal Decisions as attached at Item 6.

The Committee discussed and noted the appeal decisions.