Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor M. E. Campbell.

            The minutes of the meetings of 2nd and 16th May were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd June, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

            No declarations were reported.

            It was reported that correspondence had been received from various statutory bodies, agencies and other organisations in respect of the undernoted:

            Notification from the Roads Service of:

·           an amended scheme for traffic calming measures at Ligoniel;

·           an accessible blue badge parking bay at 99 Cullingtree Road; and

·           the removal of a disabled parking bay at 36 Ponsonby Avenue.

            Copies of the correspondence in relation to the above-mentioned matters were made available at the meeting for the information of the Members.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency indicating that, under Article 42(1) of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, the Agency was required to consult the Council prior to the inclusion of any building on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.  In addition, the correspondence had indicated that the Environment Agency would welcome the Council’s views in relation to its proposals to list the above-mentioned property.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to support the listing of the above-mentioned property as outlined.

            It was reported that correspondence had been received from the Area Planning Office in relation to the above-mentioned matter which had indicated that, having considered all the relevant factors, the Planning Service remained of the opinion that the application in respect of the proposed erection of a two storey garage with new access from Priory Gardens was acceptable and that a decision to approve would be issued within the near future.

            A Member indicated that she remained dissatisfied with the decision to approve.  The correspondence was subsequently noted by the Committee. 

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th April, it had agreed to invite the applicants of the above-mentioned planning application to a future meeting to outline the plans in greater detail.  It was reported that the applicants had indicated that they would be available to attend the meeting of the Committee which was scheduled to be held on Thursday, 15th August.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the attendance of the applicants at its meeting on 15thAugust and agreed that the Members of the Health and Environmental Services Committee be invited also to attend that meeting.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

            “1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    This is the first set of proposals brought forward as part of the second  phase of a review of Planning Fees.

1.2    In its response to phase 1 (Dec 2010), the Council expressed concern about the lack of consultation with Local Government and the impact which the removal of concessionary fees would have on the Council. In addition to the issues identified above, the Council was also concerned that Phase 2 would include proposed changes to the miscellaneous fee category which could have significant impacts on statutory Waste Management operations such as the development of household recycling centres. In this consultation, the proposal is to resolve the issue of plant and machinery applications within a larger site. This normally occurs in mineral extraction sites rather than waste management sites.

1.3    This consultation (a copy of which was contained on the Modern.gov system) impacts on planning applications relating to

·         renewal planning permission - the introduction of reduced fees;

·         mixed use applications - the introduction of a revised methodology for calculating fees;

·         applications for Certificates of Lawful Use or Development and consent to display advertisements - the removal of the fee exemptions for resubmitted applications

·         the fee for two or more dwelling houses - the correction of an anomaly in the existing provisions;

·         the provision of community facilities (including sports grounds) and playing fields - the removal of the fee for applications made by non-profit making organisations; and

·         minerals, gas and waste applications - the introduction of a revised methodology for calculating fees

            2       Key Issues

2.1    The Department states that this is a step towards providing a fairer and more robust funding framework for the transferred planning system.  The planning fee structure is complex and can be difficult to administer involving measurements and calculations which have caused errors in the past. Any simplification will reduce the time taken to calculate fees and audit the results.

2.2    The introduction of a reduced fee to renew an application where the time-limit has not yet expired is similar to that in England where the rate is a flat fee. The proposal is to introduce a rate which is 25% of the full permission. The use of this percentage rather than a flat rate is sensible as it will continue to reflect the on-going changes to fees without the need for further legislation. Renewals of permission are normally straightforward and only where there has been a change of circumstances would there be any additional work to be carried out.

2.3    The methodology for calculating the fee for mixed use schemes has not been logical as the calculation varies depending on whether there is a residential component and this can create difficulties if there are shared areas. This has resulted in difficulties for developers trying to calculate the fee. The new proposal is  to make the fee the sum of the fees for each of the uses proposed, subject to a maximum. This is a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

            The Committee noted a list of new planning applications which had been received by the Planning Service from 7th until 27th May, 2013.

            The Committee noted the outcome of a planning appeal in respect of a proposed two storey extension to the rear of the existing property located at 36 Hawthornden Road.

            The Committee noted a list of decisions which had been issued by the Planning Service between 8th and 28th May in respect of streamlined planning applications.

            The Committee noted a list of deferred items which were still under consideration by the Planning Office.  A Member reminded the officers from the Planning Service that concern had been expressed previously in relation to the increasing number of applications which had been included on the list.  The Planning Service officials undertook to examine each of the applications which had been included on the list to investigate the reasons for the delay in an attempt to process those outstanding issues expeditiously.

            The representatives from the Planning Service reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 2nd May, it had reconsidered the above-mentioned planning application and, under the authority delegated to it, had adopted the opinion of the Area Planning Manager to approve the application in connection with the provision of an outside area of the licensed premises at first floor level with facilities for smokers.  At that meeting, the Members had been advised by the Planning Service that the decision to approve the application would not be issued until the relevant Council officials had met with the licensee to discuss the entertainments licence. 

            The Planning Service informed the Committee that the circumstances had since altered in relation to the Environmental Health advice which had been received, in that an entertainments licence would not be required in connection with the planning application.   However, the Members were advised that, whilst an entertainments licence would not be required, planning conditions would be imposed in connection with a Noise Verification Report, and that the Environmental Health Service had confirmed that it had no concerns in relation to the proposal, subject to the suggested conditions being included within the planning approval.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

Z/2010/1648/F

Approved site for dwelling and garage

adjacent to 66 King’s Road

            The Committee considered further a planning application, in relation to a change of house type and garage to that which had previously been considered, in respect of which the Divisional Planning Manager had offered an opinion to approve. 

            After discussion, the Committee agreed, with two Members voting against, to adopt the opinion of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the application.

            (As the decision was not unanimous it was subject to ratification by the Council.)

Z/2011/0476/F

Wellington Park Hotel

            The Committee considered further a planning application in relation to the partial demolition, refurbishment and extensions to the existing hotel, which would provide an additional ninety-two bedrooms, thirty-eight apartments, an additional function room, syndicate rooms, café and restaurant space, an office extension and associated car  parking and landscaping in respect of which the Divisional Planning Manager had offered an opinion to approve. 

            After discussion, the Committee agreed, with two Members voting against, to adopt the opinion of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the application.

            (As the decision was not unanimous it was subject to ratification by the Council.)

Reconsidered Items

            The Committee considered further the undernoted planning applications and adopted the recommendations of the Divisional Planning Manager thereon:

            The Committee considered further the undernoted planning applications and adopted the recommendations of the Divisional Planning Manager thereon:

            The Committee considered the schedule of planning applications which had been submitted by the Divisional Planning Manager in respect of the Council area and agreed to adopt the recommendations contained therein with the exception of those referred to below:

            A Member welcomed the new Chairman and congratulated her on the manner in which she had chaired the meeting.  Furthermore, he paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman who had conducted the business of the Committee in an efficient and effective manner.