LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 30th MAY 2013 AT LANGFORD & ULTING VILLAGE HALL.

 

Present:                       Councillors: Andrew Tween, Irene Allen, Vicky Anfilogoff, Kathy Palmer and Richard Perry

In the Chair:                Councillor Andrew Tween

Clerk:                          Jenny Clemo

Also present:               District Councillor Maddie Thompson, Phillip Rowson (Maldon District

                                    Council Development and Projects Manager), John Dagg QC and

                                    approximately 30  members of the public.

 

12/76.Apologies for absence

Apologies received from District Cllrs. Mark Durham and Henry Bass.

 

12/77. Declarations of Interest

No interests declared.

 

12/78. Appeal Reference No: APP/X1545/A/12/2183335/NWF

Application No:  FUL/MAL/12/00313 and CON/MAL/12/00314 –  Residential development comprising 146 dwellings, internal access roads, public open space and ancillary development, demolition of former open water storage tanks and ancillary outbuilding to CML’s headquarter building.  Oval Park, Hatfield Road, Langford. 

The Chairman introduced Phillip Rowson, Maldon District Council Planning and Development Manager and John Dagg, QC who is representing the Rule 6 party on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Gable and the wider community.  It was noted that the inquiry will take place from 18th to 21st June at the Council Offices.  Maldon District Council intends to robustly defend their reasons for refusal and has instructed Simon Bird QC and other expert witnesses. The witness statements can all be viewed at http://myplan80.maldon.gov.uk/Planning/lg/plansearch.page?org.apache.shale.dialog.DIALOG_NAME=gfplanningsearch&Param=lg.Planning and then inserting 12/00313* in Application No. and clicking on Documents.

 a) The reasons for refusal are as follows:

  • Sustainability – The applicant has grafted on sustainability to an unsustainable location.
  • Design – This is out of keeping with the established pattern of surrounding built environment.
  • Heritage – Substantial harm would be caused to designated heritage assets including the adjacent listed building and the special character and appearance of the conservation areas.
  • Loss of premier employment site in the District.
  • Affordable housing – The limited range of house size fails to meet the established housing need.

b) Unilateral Undertaking - Must meet the criteria of Circular 05/2005 (Planning Obligations) – ie. The scale, type and benefit must be appropriate to the direct community.

c) Local Development Plan – Emerging policies will have more weight after the next Preferred Options consultation.  Until then, planning decisions are based on the National Planning Policy Framework and any saved policies from the Maldon District Replacement Plan 2005 which are broadly in line with it.

d) Future housing need – Projected need is 294 new homes a year over the next 15 years.

Cllr. Tween asked residents to attend the inquiry to show the strong level of local support for Maldon District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission.

12/79.  Public Question Time

Questions were then answered by Phillip Rowson:

  • Highways issues – Essex County Council did not raise any concerns
  • Rota to maximize number of local people attending the inquiry
  • Tips for speaking at the inquiry included:
    • Select one or two good points that you feel strongly about 
    • Check that they match up with Maldon District Council reasons for refusal
    • Give local emphasis, provide local colour and amplification
    • Keep away from points already looked at by Maldon District Council
    • Do not make something out of nothing
    • Do not be repetitious

This results in a wide range of points being covered by a large number of people and

is more effective.

  • Relocation of local shop
  • Bus services – current use / people most affected / times

 

12/80. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd July 2013 at Langford & Ulting Village Hall

 

The meeting closed at 8.25pm.

 

Signed:                                                               (Chairman)                           Date: