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No apologies had been received.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th December 2023 were agreed as a true record.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2023 were agreed as a true record.

As required by the Constitution, the application was before the Committee for determination as it relates to a Council owned building.

Ms Jane Lowe presented the report.

Cllr Barber, Ward Councillor, spoke, saying he had no objection to the application.

Cllr Mynott MOVED and Cllr M Cuthbert SECONDED a motion to APPROVE the application.

A vote was taken and Members voted as follows:

FOR:  Cllrs Dr Barrett, Bridge, M Cuthbert, Mrs N Cuthbert, Mrs Francois, Mrs Gelderbloem, Gorton, Heard, McCheyne, Munden, Mrs Murphy, Mynott (12)

AGAINST; (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

The motion to APPROVE the application was CARRIED subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

This application, Brookes House, 79-81 Western Road, Brentwood had been withdrawn until the February Committee following discussion with officers and due to the complex nature of the application, specifically in relation to the layers of revised design iterations and how they compare with the consented scheme and how they’ve responded to officers comments following the submission of this current application.  This will allow additional time for the Committee to be fully briefed on the resulting design of the building and its effect of the surrounding townscape and neighbour amenity.

The application had been referred at the request of Cllr Sankey for the following reason:

Occupant of 7 Burnthouse Lane has pointed out that the development will severely impact on daylight to property and, in turn, have an adverse effect on the resident’s health. I would refer to the comments of the resident who has provided a detailed and reasoned account of the unsuitability of the development and the comments of the Mountnessing Village Council who also do not support the application.

Mrs Carole Vint presented the report.

The Agent, Mr Washbourn, was present and spoke in support of the application. 

Cllr Jon Cloke, representing Mountnessing Village, addressed the Committee with concerns including character of the building and overlooking. 

Cllr Sankey, Ward Councillor, spoke setting out his reasons for referral and reading the statements from neighbouring residents opposing to the application.

Cllr Gorton, Ward Councillor, raised concerns regarding the loss of light and detriment to neighbour’s living conditions.

A motion to REFUSE the application was MOVED by Cllr Gorton and SECONDED by Cllr Munden.

A vote was taken and Members voted as follows:

FOR:  Cllrs Bridge, Gorton, Munden (3)

AGAINST: Cllrs Dr Barrett, M Cuthbert, Mrs N Cuthbert, Mrs Francois, Mrs Gelderbloem, Heard, McCheyne, Mrs Murphy, Mynott (9)

ABSTAIN: (0)

The motion to REFUSE the application was LOST.

Following a short debate a motion to APPROVE the application was MOVED by Cllr Heard and SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Francois.

Members voted as follows:

FOR: Cllrs Dr Barrett, M Cuthbert, Mrs N Cuthbert, Mrs Francois, Mrs Gelderbloem, Heard, McCheyne, Mynott (8)

AGAINST:  Cllrs Bridge, Gorton, Munden, Mrs Murphy (4)

ABSTAIN: (0)

The motion to APPROVE the application was CARRIED subject to conditions outlined in the report

Fees and charges made by the Council for various services are reviewed on an annual basis by the relevant Committees relating to the services provided. Recommended amendments to the fees and charges are incorporated into the budget setting process to take effect from the following financial year.  

Mrs Corrigan summarised the report.

Cllr Mynott raised a query as to the accuracy of the zeros showing on page 9 of the report under the heading “Application for new planning permission to replace an extant planning permission”. 

Mrs Corrigan advised this would be reviewed as all statutory planning fees have increased and Members would be updated on this point at a later Committee.

It was also noted that Appendix C was incorrectly headed under Clean & Green Committee.  However, it was established that Building Control fees were for the Planning Committee to determine and this was a typographical error.

Cllr Mynott MOVED and Cllr M Cuthbert SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED to:

Approve the proposed charges for 2024/25 as attached in Appendix A, B and C subject to the annual budget setting process.

Reasons for Recommendation

Officers review fees and charges annually and this will be used to inform the 2024/25 budget setting process.

There were no items of urgent business.

                                                            The meeting concluded at 20:37