RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 27TH JULY 2009

Present :-   Cllr J. Hart (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr C. Lofts,

                 Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr C. Stanger

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr D. Linney, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr D. Yates

2.    Declarations of Interest

Cllr Stanger declared an interest in Item 6 – Finance, Cheque no. 009131. Cllr Stanger signed the Declarations of Interest Register accordingly.

Cllr Lofts declared an interest in Item 6 – Finance, Cheque no. 009134. Cllr Lofts signed the Declarations of Interest Register accordingly.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    PLANNING

a)    Decisions

Permission for Development in respect of:-

S/2009/0381/P     Tesco Stores, Old Tiffield Road, Towcester

                           New wind lobby and sliding doors to existing entrance. Re-siting of

                           trolley bays and two parking bays.

S/2009/0357/P     Masonic Meeting Hall, Northampton Road

                           Alteration and extension.

S/2009/0428/A     The Brook Centre, Swinneyford Road, Towcester

                           Directional sign, two wall mounted facia signs and one window vinyl

                           (retrospective).

b)    Amendments

S/2009/0632/P          40 Hesketh Crescent, Towcester

Proposal:                  Demolition of semi-detached dwelling and reconstruction of semi-

                                detached dwelling including two storey side extension and wrap

                                around single storey extension.

Amendment details:   Change to proposed description

This item was deferred to Applications.

c)    Applications

No observations in respect of:-

S/2009/0623/P     11 & 15 White Horse Yard, Towcester

                           First floor balcony.

S/2009/0632/P     40 Hesketh Crescent, Towcester

                           Two storey side extension and wrap around single storey extension.

S/2009/0624/P      77 Brackley Road, Towcester

                           Single storey side extension.

S/2009/0650/P     Towcester Medical Centre, Link Way, Towcester

                           Single storey rear extension.

S/2009/0653/P      2 Watling Street East, Towcester

                           Covered play area.

5.    West Northants Development Corporation

       Central Woolgrowers Site, Old Greens Norton Road, Towcester

       Demolition of existing factory building and construction of food store (use class

       A1) and two commercial starter units (use class B2).

Committee members studied the plans; the Clerk confirmed that more detailed designs for the store can be viewed on the WNDC website. Cllr Johns considered the main issue to be access to the store and the impact on traffic movement in this location. Cllr Lofts commented that a retail unit on this site would be contrary to the draft Masterplan for Towcester. Cllr Hart had attended the public consultation and been informed that the unit would be of similar size to the proposed Tesco extension. She raised concerns over the design of the building, particularly at the gateway to the town. Cllr Blake advised that the retail analysis carried out by the WNDC was flawed as it omitted the Tesco store.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed the application be rejected on the following grounds:-

It is premature to the current plans for development of the town.

It would have a negative impact on traffic movement in the area.

It would negatively impact on proposals for enhancement of the town centre.

The proposed design is not suitable at the gateway to the town.

Seconded by Cllr Lofts; 6 in favour, 1 against.

6.    Finance

       Cheques Issued

The Clerk distributed copies of the Cheques Issued List (cheque numbers 009116 to 009221). Most items were ongoing, the following cheque numbers were highlighted:-

009118 / £3320.64 &

009119 / £8345.00 to Cunningham Lindsay. Final payments for repairs to the Community Centre. These payments have been reimbursed by insurers.

009120 / £700.00 to Towcester Youth & Community Centre. Reimbursement for the snooker table.

009121 / £850.00 to Towcester Tea Rooms. Catering for the Annual Meeting of the Town Council.

009128 / £120.00 &

009129 / £240.00 to David Nash & Paul Howard Photography. Reproduction of faded portraits of former Town Mayors.

009131 / £140.16 to Cllr C. Stanger. Reimbursement of travel expenses.

009134 / £1700.00 to Cllr C. Lofts. Town Mayors Allowance.

009149 / £500.00 to Trustees of Third Baron Hesketh. Annual rental due to for the Malthouse Court Allotments.

009161 / £28.00 to Towcester Partnership. Fee for Cllr Hart and Cllr Allen to attend the Business Forum.

009165 / £2000.00 to Towcester Partnership. Annual grant to The Towcester Partnership.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that cheque number 009165 be sanctioned under Section 137;

seconded by Cllr Lofts; all in favour.

009189 / £8919.38 to Eon. Installation of lighting for the skateboard park.

009208 / £2083.48 to Youngs Nurseries. Window box scheme for 2009. The Clerk confirmed the TC only pays a proportion for the Town Hall window boxes; the remainder will be reimbursed by the Business Club.

009218 / £105.00 to Deddington Liquid Waste. Emptying of the septic tank at the Cemetery.

009221 / £1813.00 to J. R. Murray Contruction. Monthly playground / street furniture inspections and repairs.

The committee agreed for the Chair and R. F. O. to sign the Cheques Issued List.

7.    Masterplan for Towcester  Consultation Draft

Following the earlier meeting with Adrian Caldwell and Heidi Antrobus of SNC; the committee agreed to defer this item to allow for further discussions to be arranged for mid-August. This will allow absent members to put forward their comments on the Masterplan. Cllr Johns considered that representatives of the Town Council and Towcester Partnership should be on the Regeneration Board; this needs to be addressed now as the Board has already held two meetings.

8.    Urban Development Corporation's Quinquennial Review Consultation

The website address for the Quinquennial Review was forwarded to all members prior to the meeting. Cllr Hart confirmed the TC needs to respond to a number of multiple choice questions relating to the performance of the WNDC over the past five years and its objectives for the next five years. Members of the committee responded as follows:-

Q17: How successful has WNDC been in securing the regeneration of its area?

A: Fairly successful.

Q18: How successful has WNDC been in assembling land and preparing sites for development?

A: Not at all successful.

Q19: How successful has WNDC has been in creating private sector confidence and maximising private sector investment?

A: Unable to comment.

Q20: How successful has WNDC been in encouraging existing and new industry and commerce, creating an attractive environment and ensuring social facilities to encourage people to live in the area?

A: Unable to comment.

Q21: Of the options set out in section 0, which option would best meet local circumstances and deliver the regeneration and sustainable housing growth planned in Northampton , Daventry and Towcester?

A: Option 1.

There was no Question 22.

Q23: Is the assumption that WNDC should have a ten year lifespan still correct?

A: Yes.

Q24: Do WNDC's planning powers need to be modified (in so far as the current law allows) in the light of experience? If so in what way(s)?

A: No.

Q26: Should the number of local authority nominated Board members remain unchanged?

A: Yes.

Q27: Should provision be made for ex offico appointments to the Board?

A: Yes.

9.    South Northamptonshire Council

a)    Street Trading Consent Renewal –

       Towcester Kebab House, Vernon Road, Towcester

The committee discussed whether the renewal application requesting an extension to its trading hours was acceptable.

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the renewal application for Towcester Kebab House be accepted;

seconded by Cllr Stanger, 4 votes in favour, 3 votes against.

b)    House Numbering Scheme –

       Conversion of first floor flat into two flats – 94 Watling Street, Towcester

Correspondence from SNC confirms that the two flats converted from 94 Watling Street will be allocated the following address:-

94a Watling Street

94b Watling Street

Noted.

10.    Environment Agency

         Desilting of Silverstone Brook

Correspondence from the Environment Agency confirms its plans to desilt the concrete lined section of the Silverstone Brook later this year, under Section 165 of the Water Resources Act 1991. Access to the channel will be via the inclined ramps located at several points along the length of the brook. The arisings will be spread along the top of the right bank and deseeded when dry. As the TC is responsible for land adjacent to the watercourse its comments on the works would be welcomed.

The committee discussed the proposed works and agreed it would not be appropriate to leave the products arising from the desilting works on the bank near to the Recreation Ground due to the nature of its use. The Clerk agreed to notify the Environment Agency accordingly.