Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ho.

The Chairman, Councillor Marshall, advised all that the Council’s Monitoring Officer had granted dispensation under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 to all Members of the Planning Committee for them to discuss applications 20/01120/FUL & 20/01121/FULM concerning Council owned land at Netherstowe and Leyfields Open Space, Lichfield.

Councillors Anketell, Baker, Checkland, Eagland and Matthews all declared

a personal interest in application nos. 20/01120/FUL & 20/01121/FULM as they were also Members on the Lichfield City Council’s Planning Committee who had registered objections on both applications.

Councillor Cox agreed to not take part in any debate or vote in application nos. 20/01120/FUL & 20/01121/FULM due to a potential conflict of interest as he is also a Cabinet Member.

Councillor Eagland declared a personal interest in application no. 20/01238/COUM as she was a Staffordshire County Councillor and the landowner was Staffordshire County Council.  She agreed not to take part in the debate nor vote.

Councillor Leytham and Councillor Baker declared a personal interest in application no. 20/01120/FUL as the Objector was known to them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 11 January 2021 previously circulated were taken as read, approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Applications for permission for development were considered with the recommendations of the Head of Economic Growth and Development and any letters of representation and petitions of observations/representations together with the supplementary report of observations/representations received since the publication of the agenda in association with Planning Applications 20/01120/FUL, 20/01121/FULM and 20/01238/COUM.

20/01120/FUL – Provision of 8 no. 1 Bed 2 Person affordable apartments, with associated car parking, drainage connections, external works and landscaping

Land at Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire

FOR: Rebecca Crann, Bromford Housing Group

RESOLVED: No presentation or debate took place as it was resolved that this matter be deferred as new information was received very late which needed to be considered and advice sought before the application is determined by the committee.

20/01121/FULM – Erection of 16 no. new affordable dwellings, with associated car parking, external works and landscaping, together with the stopping up and diversion of existing highway consisting of footpaths within the site and leading to Leyfields, Curborough Road and Dimbles Hill

Leyfields Open Space, Leyfields, Lichfield, Staffordshire

FOR: Rebecca Crann, Bromford Housing Group

RESOLVED: No presentation or debate took place as it was resolved that this matter be deferred as new information was received very late which needed to be considered and advice sought before the application is determined by the committee.

20/01238/COUM – Conversion and extension of existing barn to form gospel hall (Use class F.1(f)) as a place of worship, with demolition of other agricultural barns and provision of car parking, landscaping and associated works

Oak Tree Farm, Drayton Lane, Drayton Bassett, Tamworth

FOR: GGHT (Greenmere Ltd)

RESOLVED: That this planning application be deferred to allow the submission of further information and clarification with regard to a number of issues, including those listed below.  And, that the application is brought back to committee to allow consideration of all relevant planning matters:-

Noise and disturbance impact – noise report technical detail clarification including ability of acoustic fencing to mitigate noise; air conditioning units; hours of use; vehicle movement;

Residential amenity – clarification of benefits/impact to local community;

Impact on Green Belt – principle of development, does it represent special circumstances within the Green Belt;

Traffic movement and sustainability of location – vehicle numbers; scope of traffic survey; possibility to relocate entrance; alternative modes of transport/travel plan clarification.

(Prior to consideration of the application, representations were made by Parish Councillor Ian Watkins, Drayton Bassett Parish Council (Objector), Ms Chloe Bennett (Supporter) and Mr Andrew Beard of AB Planning (Applicant’s Agent)).