Agenda and minutes

Venue: New Council Chamber - Town Hall, Reigate

Contact: Democratic Services (01737 276182)  Email: Democratic@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

30.

Minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2021 be approved as a correct record.

31.

Apologies for absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Harper, Councillor Whinney attended as his substitute.

 

Councillors Adamson and Kelly attended the meeting virtually and were therefore unable to vote.

32.

Declarations of interest

To receive any declarations of interest.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Blacker declared a pecuniary interest in item 7, 7, Arbutus Close, RH1 6NP as he was the agent for this application. Councillor Blacker was not present at the meeting for the duration of this item.

 

The Chairman advised that all Councillors had an interest in item 5 as it was being made by the same Council to which they were elected members although such interests were non-pecuniary given the ethical walls in place. In response it was stated that all Councillors present also had a general interest in item 5, as all were borough Council Tax payers and would indirectly benefit from the proposed development if it was to be approved.

33.

Addendum to the agenda

To note the addendum tabled at the meeting which provides an update on the agenda of planning applications before the Committee.

 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

 

NOTES:

1.    The order in which the applications will be considered at the meeting may be subject to change.

2.    Plans are reproduced in the agenda for reference purposes only and are not reproduced to scale.  Accordingly dimensions should not be taken from these plans and the originals should be viewed for detailed information. Most drawings in the agenda have been scanned, and reproduced smaller than the original, thus affecting image quality.

 

To consider the following applications :

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the addendum be noted.

34.

21/00192/F - Land Parcel, South West of Woodhatch Road, Reigate

Construction of a crematorium with associated landscape, parking and infrastructure, including a revised junction with Woodhatch Road. As amended on 01/04/2021, 09/04/2021 and on 04/05/2021.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered an application at Land Parcel, South West of Woodhatch Road, Reigate for the construction of a crematorium with associated landscape, parking and infrastructure, including a revised junction with Woodhatch Road. As amended on 01/04/2021, 09/04/2021 and on 04/05/2021.

 

Amie Vaccaro, a member of the public and Chair of Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group, spoke in objection to the application stating that the group was made up of a number of residents, concerned about the potential harm to the Green Belt site. The history of the site was described, as was the importance of the site to the local community for a variety of reasons, with close proximity being a key feature. Policy CEM1 required a robust need for the crematorium. Representations submitted raised serious concerns regarding the inadequate demonstration of need, sufficient to outweigh national planning policy, where planning policy applied substantial weight to any harm to the Green Belt caused by inappropriate development. It was felt that national policy had not been correctly applied and that “very special circumstances” were not substantiated. The Alternative Sites Assessment did not look at sites outside of the Green Belt and other sites were present. Green Belt designation was not based upon landscape quality but spatial separation and the avoidance of coalescence. Such an approach toward assessing the merits of Green Belt was not in accordance with national planning policy. This site was not included in the Green Belt review for the current Development Management Plan (adopted 2019) and was discounted at Stage 1 of the Sustainable Urban Extension Technical review. Therefore, the conclusion that this site was of lower importance conflicted with these assessments. The report referenced a threat to alternative development however there was no alternative on the table.  This was irrelevant and potentially misleading. It was felt that the report adopted an incorrect balancing exercising in order to achieve very special circumstances in support of this application and Members were urged to refuse the application.

 

Geoffrey Stearn, a member of the public, spoke in objection to the application explaining the importance of the area as local resource for recreation. Its proximity to New Pond Farm was described as was this area’s overall importance, referencing its biodiversity. The plans placed the crematorium in the middle of the fields, causing the maximum visual impact to the whole area. The area would be blighted by the erection of buildings and chimneys, the grassland replaced with roads and carparks. The circular walk would become a circuit of the crematorium. Smoke from the cremator would be naturally directed by the prevailing winds over the junior football pitches and Earlswood Lakes. Several allotments would be lost to the development and there was currently a waiting list for an allotment. According to the National Planning Policy Framework, a crematorium was inappropriate development on Green Belt land. Section 99 of the framework stated that a local authority should look to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

a) 21/01602/F and b) 20/01603/LBC - Weston Acres, Belvedere House, Woodmansterene Lane, Woodmansterne

Planning application and listed building consent for the extension and refurbishment of part of the ground floor of The Royal Alfred Seafarers' Society; to reorganise and enlarge No. 24 ground floor bedroom suits, including a single storey ground floor extension and new day space. Also includes first floor extensions to east and north wings. All existing and proposed use class will remain as C2 and there will be no change to total bedroom numbers or parking. As amended on 18/08/202.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered applications at Weston Acres, Belvedere House, Woodmansterene Lane, Woodmansterne for a planning application and listed building consent for the extension and refurbishment of part of the ground floor of The Royal Alfred Seafarers' Society; to reorganise and enlarge No. 24 ground floor bedroom suits, including a single storey ground floor extension and new day space. Also includes first floor extensions to east and north wings. All existing and proposed use class will remain as C2 and there will be no change to total bedroom numbers or parking. As amended on 18/08/202.

 

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions for applications a) 21/01602/F and b) 20/01603/LBC and as per addendum changes.

36.

21/01992/HHOLD - 7 Arbutus Close, RH1 6NP

Proposed single storey rear extension and first floor side extension above an existing single storey side extension and front porch.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered an application at 7 Arbutus Close, RH1 6NP for a Proposed single storey rear extension and first floor side extension above an existing single storey side extension and front porch.

 

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions.

37.

To report and consider the results of the public consultation on the Walton on the Hill Conservation Area

To report the results of the public consultation on Walton the Hill Conservation Area boundary changes and consider the designation of the proposed changes to Walton on the Hill Conservation Area boundary.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report that reported the results of the public consultation on Walton on the Hill Conservation Area boundary changes and considered the designation of the proposed changes to Walton on the Hill Conservation Area boundary.

 

Councillor Turner, a visiting ward member spoke in support of the report, stating that the last review of the area was 30 years ago. There had been a working group lead by a former ward Councillor and the Vice Chair of Tadworth and Walton Residents Association, and the makeup of this group was outlined. There had been a number of meetings and walking meetings in the area.  On behalf of the group, Councillor Turner thanked John McInally, the Conservation Officer for his help and guidance throughout the review.

 

RESOLVED that the boundary changes to Walton on the Hill Conservation Area be APPROVED.

38.

To consider a public consultation on the Tadworth Conservation Area

To report the results of the public consultation on Tadworth Conservation Area designation and consider boundary changes to Tadworth Conservation Area.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report that recommended that public consultation took place on the proposed boundary changes to Tadworth Conservation Area, as delineated on the plans within the report, in pursuance to the provisions of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and to be reported back to the Planning Committee for consideration.

 

Councillor Turner, a visiting member, spoke in support of the proposal stating that since the 2018 conservation review there had been a request from the ward member and Tadworth and Walton on the Hill Residents Association for other areas to be looked at for inclusion within the Tadworth Conservation Area. The Conservation Officer supported the bulk of suggested areas. Recently 2 hedgerows had been removed from a lane full of character and a house in The Avenue was close to demolition by the developer, however the Conservation Officer acted quickly and put a temporary order on the property. Both the lane and the house were in the proposed conservation extension and the Councillor looked forward to working with the Conservation Officer again.

 

RESOLVED that public consultation on the proposed boundary changes to the Tadworth Conservation Area be APPROVED.

39.

Any other urgent business

To consider any item(s) which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered as a matter of urgency.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was none.