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RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 23RD MAY 2011
Present:- Cllr D. Linney (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr N. Holder,
Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr D. Yates
1. Election of Chair
Proposal
Cllr Allen proposed that Cllr D. Linney be elected Chair of the Resources/Planning Committee for the ensuing year;
seconded by Cllr Stanger; all in favour
2. Election of Vice-Chair
Proposal
Cllr Yates proposed that Cllr C. Stanger be elected Vice-Chair of the Resources/Planning Committee for the ensuing year;
seconded by Cllr Hart; all in favour.
3. Apologies for Absence
Cllr G. Barbour, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr D. Wardle
4. Declarations of Interest
None
5. Open to the Public
No members of the public were present.
6. PLANNING
a) Decisions
No decisions had been received.
b) Amendments
No amended applications had been received.
c) Applications
S/2011/0517/FUL 225 Watling Street West, Towcester
Replace existing UPVC shop front and entrance door/side screens with timber shop
front and timber entrance door/side screens
The committee gave its support to the application on the grounds that the works will
greatly improve the character of the conservation area.
S/2011/0523/FUL Unit 11, Sponne Centre, Watling Street West, Towcester
Change of use of ground floor to estate agents (A2) from (A1) retail
The committee discussed the application at length. Cllr Lofts opposed the loss of
another retail unit in the town centre and confirmed this is contrary to the Local Plan.
Cllr Allen referred to the empty shop units in the town centre and considered it better to have it occupied than remain empty.
Proposal
Cllr Yates proposed that the committee raise no objections to the application;
seconded by Cllr Bain; 5 votes in favour; 3 votes against – proposal carried.
S/2011/0522/LBC Unit 11, Sponne Centre, Watling Street West, Towcester
Removable plywood logo sign fitted to shop front window and small hanging sign
to front elevation on existing bracket. Minor internal works comprising of removing
existing plywood boards from internal wall and walls repainted.
Proposal
Cllr Allen proposed that the application be objected on the grounds that the proposed fascia would detract from the character of the building and is not essential for the business;
seconded by Cllr Lofts; 6 votes in favour; 2 voted again – proposal carried.
There were no observations with respect to:-
S/2011/0438/FUL 48 St Lawrence Road South, Towcester
First floor extension in addition to extensions permitted by planning application
S/2011/1571/FUL.
S/2011/0528/FUL Tove Depot, Old Tiffield Road, Towcester
Installation of solar panels to 2 no. sides of roof to one building.
S/2011/0543/LBC Chantry House, Chantry Lane, Towcester
Removal of staircase, timber balustrade to stairwell window, new floor in stairwell
Cllr Linney and Cllr Hart declared a non-pecuniary interest in this application.
S/2011/0564/LBC Towcester Centre for Leisure, Springfields, Towcester
Installation of solar panels on roof.
7. Annual Statement of Accounts for 1/4/2010 – 31/3/2011
a) Section 1 – Accounting Statement for 2010/2011
A copy of Section 1 of the Annual Return was forwarded to all members of the committee prior to the meeting. The Clerk detailed the figures contained in the document.
Proposal
Cllr Allen proposed that Section 1 of the Annual Return for 2010/11 be signed by the Chair;
seconded by Cllr Stanger; all in favour
b) Section 2 – Annual Governance Statement
A copy of Section 2 of the Annual return was forwarded to all members of the committee prior to the meeting.
The committee agreed for the Clerk to answer ‘Yes’ to all Statements contained in Section 2 of the Annual Return for 2010/11.
Proposal
Cllr Lofts proposed that Section 2 of the Annual Return for 2010/11 be signed by the Chair;
seconded by Cllr Blake; all in favour
8. N. C. C.
Section 38 Agreement – Northampton Road, Towcester, Phase 9
Correspondence from N.C.C. confirms that, in accordance with Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980, the following has been adopted and will become Highway maintainable at public expense from 15th March 2011:-
Cycleway on western site boundary to the rear of Campbell Close only - 136m
The Clerk confirmed that a number of complaints have been received from residents of the Shires concerning maintenance of the estate. N. C. C. has adopted the verges and open areas in phases but has not requested the TC include them in its mowing schedule. The result is that grass has been mowed in some areas and not others. The Clerk has spoken to Persimmon Homes who have now provided a map highlighting the areas adopted and those which remain its responsibility. The Persimmon contractor is J. R. Murray; he agreed that from hereon he will mow the whole area and split the charge to invoice the TC and Persimmon proportionately. The Committee agreed with the Clerk that this is the most practical solution at the moment.
Cllr Allen felt this was a lesson to be learnt when carrying out services on behalf of N.C.C. as mowing in the town is now heavily subsidised by the TC. Cllr Lofts agreed adding that the people of Towcester are paying twice for this service. He suggested the TC write to N.C.C. to express its dissatisfaction at the way this issue has been dealt with.
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