To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 16th January 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 16th January 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda Item.  Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.

No interests were declared by Members.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

By way of a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were advised of the extent of enforcement activity undertaken by the Enforcement Team during 2011, progress achieved in respect of those objectives identified for the service in 2010 and proposed priorities for 2012.

Attention was drawn by the Team Leader to the increase, to 92% in 2011, of recorded site visits carried out in 10 working days and the importance now placed upon making an initial visit shortly after a complaint had been made.  This practice, together with the continued involvement of the Enforcement Forum meant cases were able to be dealt with in a manner proportionate to their harm and in a consistent and expedient way.

The Panel was updated on current staffing arrangements and the pressure on resources which continued in 2011 because of the number of significant and serious cases to which the Team had to respond during the year.

In terms of the priorities for 2012, the Panel noted that the two key objectives for the enforcement service would remain un-changed as follows:-

¨       to focus on quality outcomes where unacceptable breaches were identified; and

¨       to maximise the efficiency of the enforcement service.

With regard to working methodology and given the success of the Enforcement Forum, Members were advised that in the light of resource and data protection concerns, the “points scoring system” had been discontinued as had the submission of quarterly reports on enforcement cases to Members and Town and Parish Councils.  Appropriate amendments had been made to the Planning Enforcement Policy as a result of these changes.  The Panel also was made aware of the potential impact of the Localism Act on enforcement provisions but assured that these would not affect either the 2012 priorities or case workloads.

Having commended both the report and the efforts of the Team in what was considered to be a difficult area of work, the Panel

RESOLVED

              (a)     that the report now submitted be noted; and

              (b)     that the objectives identified for the Enforcement Service during 2012 and the changes to the Planning Enforcement Policy Document (February 2012) be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

The Planning Service Manager (Development Management) submitted reports (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) on applications for development to be determined by the Panel and advised Members of further representations (details of which also are appended in the Minute Book) which had been received in connection therewith since the reports had been prepared.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

              (a)     Proposed Section 106 Agreement – Replacement of Planning permission 0401156OUT (Appeal APP/H0520/A/04/1161944) for outline planning permission for residential development on land off Bydand Lane/RO Park Crescent – land east of Unit 2, Bydand Lane Industrial Estate, Little Paxton – 1002018REP

                        (i)         that, having been advised of the views of the Section 106 Agreement Advisory Group, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to enter into an Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the contributions detailed in paragraph 7.6 of the report now submitted;

                        (ii)        that, subject to the completion of the Agreement referred to in resolution (i) above, and with the exception of the non-standard condition relating to commencement of the development which should begin within three years from the date of the consent, the application be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Planning Services as listed in paragraph 8 of the report now submitted.

              (b)     Alconbury Enterprise Zone Enabling Works comprising demolition of existing buildings; new and improved highway access and roads; provision of three new gatehouses and security barriers; additional perimeter fencing; structural landscaping; ground works associated with new roads and landscaping, ancillary drainage, utility works, lighting and removal of hardstanding, land at former Alconbury Airfield to the north of Ermine Street, The Stukeleys – 1102094FUL

                        It was proposed by Councillor D B Dew, seconded by Councillor P L E Bucknell and

                        RESOLVED

                                    that Councillor J D Ablewhite, in his capacity as Executive Councillor with responsibility for strategic economic development be permitted to address the Panel.

                        (Councillor J D Ablewhite and Mr T Leathes, representing the applicant addressed the Panel on the application.)

                        that the application be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Planning Services to include those listed in paragraph 10 of the report now submitted.

                        [It was agreed that arrangements should be made for the Panel to visit the site of the proposed enterprize zone after the May elections.  The Chairman undertook to discuss the timing of the visit with the Head of Planning Services.]

              (c)     Removal of Condition 1 of Planning Permission 1001584S73 which limits the use of the site to Mr Buckley and his extended family for a period of three years, mobile home opposite Silks Farm Day Nursery, St. Ives Road, Somersham – 11/01295/S73

                        (Councillor D Hopkins, Pidley-cum-Fenton Parish Council addressed the Panel on the application.)

                        that, on the understanding that native species be included in a substantial landscaping scheme for the site and that the condition relating to “no commercial use” effectively controls storage,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

By reference to a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management), the Panel noted the outcome of four notable appeals against refusal of planning permission by the District Council and the reasons for the Inspector’s decision in each case.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

The Panel received and noted a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the performance and activities of the Development Management Division over the period 1st October – 31st December 2011 in comparison with the preceding quarter and the corresponding period in 2010.