Agenda and minutes

Members of the Committee and Officers introduced themselves to all those who were present during the meeting.    

Apologies had been received from Councillor Andy Collins and Councillor Anita Mayes.  Councillor Butcher confirmed that he was acting as substitute for Councillor Collins. 

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.   

The Chair to notify the Committee of any items of urgent business to be added to the agenda.

There were no urgent items.    

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2023 were submittedand approved as a correct record, and the Chair was authorised to sign them.

Where additional information has been received by Planning Officers subsequent to the publication of the agenda, a supplementary report will be added to this item and published on the Council’s website the day before the meeting to update the main reports with any late information.

An officer addendum was circulated to the Committee prior to the start of the meeting, updating the report on the agenda with any late information (a copy of which was published on the Council’s website).

Retrospective application for consent to display 1no. internally illuminated fascia sign, 2no. non illuminated fascia signs, 2no panel signs and 2no. Sets of glazing graphics to front and rear elevations (amended scheme received 29/11/2023) – SOVEREIGN.

The Development Management Lead (DML) presented the report. 

The Committee was advised by way of the Addendum that one further representation had been received since the officer report, the revised wording for Condition No. 1, and to omit Condition No. 6. 

Mr Bender, neighbour, spoke on behalf of residents against of the revised application concerning the appearance of the signs. Councillor di Cara, Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Members felt the large rear high level fascia sign was inappropriate and too bright and queried if it could be removed, and if the illumination on the front elevational sign could be turned off at 10pm when the business was closed. 

The DML advised the application could either be deferred for officers to liaise with the applicant regarding the proposed amendments which would come back to Committee for determination, or the application could be delegated to officers to request the amendments. 

The Lawyer added that if the application was delegated to officers and if it was refused following negotiations and the rear high level fascia sign was not removed, the breach of planning would be referred to the Planning Enforcement team.

Councillor Morris put forward a proposal, against the officer’s recommendation, to defer the application to enable officers to seek the removal of the rear high level fascia sign and to add a condition to restrict the hours of illumination on the front fascia sign, to be determined at a future meeting. This was seconded by Councillor Vaughan and was put to the vote and this was lost unanimously.  

Councillor Lamb put forward a proposal against the officer’s recommendation to delegate officers to seek the removal of the rear high level fascia sign with the applicant and to add a condition to restrict the hours of illumination on the front fascia sign. This was seconded by Councillor Morris and was carried.  

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) that delegated authority be provided to the Development Management Lead to liaise with the applicant regarding the removal of the large rear high level fascia sign; to add a condition to control illumination of the front fascia sign within certain hours, and to refuse the application if not possible through negotiation. 

Reserved Matters Application (Landscaping) in relation to planning permission 200280 granted 03/12/2020 - MEADS.

The Development Management Lead presented the report.

The Committee was advised by way of the Addendum that there were no further updates.   

Councillor Lamb put forward a proposal in line with the officer’s recommendation.  This was seconded by Councillor Ansell and was carried.  

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) that the application be granted subject to the conditions in the Officer’s report.

To note the next meeting of the Planning Committee is scheduled to be held on 26 February 2023 at 6pm

It was noted that the next meeting of the Planning Committee was scheduled to commence at 6:00pm on Monday, 26 February 2024.