To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence received.

To confirm the minutes of the Southern Planning Committee meeting held on 11 April 2023

Contact Tim Ward (01743) 257713.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Southern Planning Committee held on 11 April 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is no later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday 2 May 2023

There were no public questions.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

In respect of agenda item 8 Councillor David Evans declared that he was the local Member and that he would withdraw from the meeting and take no part in the debate or voting.

In respect of agenda item 8 Councillor Hilary Luff declared that she was the local Member and that she would withdraw from the meeting and take no part in the debate or voting.

Erection of an up to 30 MW Solar PV Array, comprising ground mounted solar PV panels, vehicular access, internal access tracks, landscaping and associated infrastructure, including security fencing, CCTV, client storage containers and grid connection infrastructure, including substation buildings and off-site cabling

Councillor Claire Wild, Local Member for the application declared a non-pecuniary interest in the application and stated that following advice from the Council solicitor she would make a statement and then leave the room.

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an application for the erection of an up to 30 MW Solar PV Array, comprising ground mounted solar PV panels, vehicular access, internal access tracks, landscaping and associated infrastructure, including security fencing, CCTV, client storage containers and grid connection infrastructure, including substation buildings and off-site cabling and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the to the location and layout.

The Principal Planner confirmed that members had attended a site visit and drew attention to the information contained in the schedule of late representations and copies of further correspondence received ahead of the meeting which Members had before them.

David King spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Marcia Rathbone spoke on behalf of Berrington Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees

Councillor Claire Wild, local Ward Councillor spoke against the application in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Jaques Carboni, (Agent), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members felt that the mitigations offered in respect of the best and most versatile land and ecological concerns were not sufficient and that the benefits of the clean energy was outweighed by the negative effects of the development.

RESOLVED:

That contrary to Officer recommendation planning permission be refused for the following reasons: - 

·                      The application would result in the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land. 

·                      The application would have a harmful ecological effect 

·                      The application would have aharmful effect on the landscape 

Discharge of S106 Agreement attached to planning permission reference 09/0029/FUL

Members were advised that following legal advice the item had  been withdrawn because it was considered not to meet the relevant criteria for committee referral. Members were asked to note that the application would be determined instead by officers.

Outline application for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 2No. dwellings (all matters reserved)

The Development Manager introduced the application which was an outline application for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 2No. dwellings (all matters reserved) and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, she drew Members’ attention to the to the location and proposed layout and elevations.

The Development Manager confirmed that members had attended a site visit and drew attention to the information contained in the schedule of late representations. which Members had before them.

Margaret Koenig spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Scott Higgins spoke on behalf of Chirbury with Brompton Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees

Councillor Heather Kidd, local Ward Councillor spoke in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members felt that single storey dwellings would be more suitable for the plot as they would fit in with the existing street scene and preserve the view of the listed church behind the plot.  Officers were asked to convey this to the applicants.

Members requested that the reserved matters application be brought to committee for determination

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation Outline Planning Permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report, and that the reserved matters application be brought to Committee for determination

Conversion of agricultural outbuilding to form one dwelling and installation of package treatment plant (resubmission)

In accordance with her declaration Hilary Luff left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of the application.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Nick Hignett took the chair.

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an outline application for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 2No. dwellings (all matters reserved) and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, she drew Members’ attention to the to the location and proposed layout and elevations.

The Development Manager confirmed that members had attended a site visit and drew attention to the information contained in the schedule of late representations.

Councillor David Evans, local Ward Councillor made a statement in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, and then left the room.

Stephanie Smith Pearse (Applicant) spoke in favour of the application in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members felt that the design was sympathetic and would be an improvement o n the existing building.  They also felt that it would allow a local family to remain in the area.

RESOLVED:

That contrary to Officer recommendation planning permission be granted and that delegated authority be given to officers to apply conditions as necessary, including the removal of permitted development rights

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 9 May 2023 be noted.

To consider a resolution under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the proceedings in relation to the following items shall not be conducted in public on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972 the proceedings in relation to the following items shall not be conducted in public on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Member received the report of the Assistant Director of Economy and Place which updated them on the performance of the Enforcement Team and advised them of the outcome of recent significant decisions.

RESOLVED:

That Members note the progress of planning enforcement case investigations and the exercise of delegated powers in respect of decisions in accordance with the Council’s enforcement protocol

To note that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday,30 May 2023

Members were advised that the meeting scheduled to be held on 20 May 2023 had been cancelled and that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee would be held on Tuesday 27 June 2023 at 2.00pm