Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair, Councillor Kieron Green, welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He explained that no person present would be entitled to speak other than the Members of the Local Review Body (LRB) and the Governance, Risk and Safety Manager, who would provide procedural advice if required.

 

Referring to a site inspection held prior to this meeting (note of site inspection attached as an Appendix to this Minute), and further information from the Applicant and the Planning Officer along with comments from Interested Parties, which were received following the first meeting of the LRB held on 6 August 2025, he advised that his first task would be to establish if the Members of the LRB felt that they had sufficient information before them to come to a decision on the Review.

 

Councillor Irvine advised that there remained an issue for him in terms of screening and he also noted that without a competent Motion the Committee may not necessarily have all the necessary information at this stage.

 

Councillor Green advised that he thought he had sufficient information.

 

Councillor Hampsey advised that he felt he had sufficient information subject to the progressing of a competent Motion.

 

Councillor Green advised that the site inspection had been quite helpful as it had provided a clear perspective on the ground.  He added that it had been useful to view the development both on land and from the approach by sea which gave a better understanding of the development within the landscape.  He said he remained mindful of the Planning Officer’s original comments regarding the pattern of development in the area and that despite the benefit of the site inspection, he still had concerns and questions regarding the pattern of development.

 

Councillor Irvine expressed an opposing view and said that he was generally supportive of the proposal.  He noted that considerable work had been undertaken to demonstrate that the development would have a low impact.  In terms of infill and development, he stated that he had fewer concerns.  He said he had concerns regarding the visual impact at the application site, particularly in relation to screening.  He noted that the existing trees, which currently provided screening, may be removed or lost over time.  He emphasised the need to consider how this screening could be protected as it contributed to the overall setting and biodiversity of the site.

 

Councillor Irvine noted that the proposal was for a single-storey dwelling and stated that he had no significant concerns regarding the scale or nature of the physical building but expressed a caveat regarding the potential impact if the screening were removed and the effect this would have on the site.

 

Councillor Green advised that the main issue for him related to the screening.  He noted that this was at the outline planning stage and he thought it would be difficult for the LRB to determine what would be appropriate to include by way of conditions.  In particular, he said there was uncertainty regarding the location, extent, and height of any required screening, as well as which existing trees may be removed.  As a result, he considered it would be challenging to impose a specific condition in relation to screening at this stage.  He advised that it would be important for those determining any subsequent full application to take these matters into account.  However, he felt that it would not be possible at this stage to set precise conditions due to the lack of detailed information.

 

Councillor Hampsey expressed sympathy with the principle of screening.

 

Mr Jackson advised that there may be scope for a condition requiring full landscaping, including screening.  He suggested this could be something Members may wish to consider as part of their deliberations.

 

Councillor Green sought and received confirmation from Mr Jackson that wording could potentially be included within the conditions to address his concerns.  Mr Jackson advised that, in relation to a competent Motion, it may be necessary to adjourn the meeting to allow Members to obtain appropriate advice on the matter.

 

Mr Jackson suggested that Members could move a Motion today to adjourn the meeting to allow Members to seek advice in relation to a competent Motion.  He added that at this stage they could include within this Motion a proposed amendment to planning condition 4, detailed in page 6 of the Agenda pack for today’s meeting as follows:

 

To amend condition 4 to include the requirement for submission of a full landscaping scheme to include details of any trees to be removed and the replacement planting, including the location, species and size of every tree/shrubs to be planted.

 

Councillor Hampsey moved the following Motion which was unanimously agreed Councillors Green and Irvine:

 

To agree to adjourn the meeting to allow Members time to seek advice on the preparation of a competent Motion and to agree that planning condition 4, as detailed in page 6 of today’s Agenda pack be amended as follows:

 

PPP – Full Landscaping Scheme 

 

No development shall commence until a scheme of boundary treatment, surface treatment and landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The scheme shall comprise a planting plan and schedule which shall include details of: 

 

1. Existing and proposed ground levels in relation to an identified fixed datum; 

 

2. Existing landscaping features and vegetation to be retained; 

 

3. Proposed hard landscaping works including the location design and materials of proposed surfaces, walls, fences and gates; 

 

4. Proposed soft landscaping works including the location, species and size of every tree/shrub to be planted;  

 

5. A programme for the timing, method of implementation, completion and subsequent on-going maintenance;

 

6. Details of any trees to be removed including the location, species and size of every tree/shrubs to be planted.

 

All of the hard and soft landscaping works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme unless otherwise approved in writing by the Planning Authority. 

Any trees/shrubs which within a period of five years from the completion of the approved landscaping scheme fail to become established, die, become seriously diseased,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.