Harwich Town Council

01255 507211

9.30am – 1pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Planning Minutes 19th September 2012

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3DS
Tel: 01255 507211

MINUTES of the Meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held at The 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich on Wednesday 19th September 2012 commencing at 6.30pm

Present: Councillors Brown, Calver, Double, Fowler, Gibbins, I Henderson, J Henderson, King, and Thurlow.

In the Chair: Councillor McLeod

Acting Clerk: Mrs Michelle Townsend

Also present: 5 members of the public and no members of the press.

The Chairman announced a slight amendment in the order of the Agenda and confirmed that application no. 12/00983/FUL was to be discussed first.

Public Question Time

Roger Frith – adjacent property to the proposed nightclub – asked for clarification on any differences with application no. 12/00983/FUL and the one previously submitted. The Clerk advised Mr Frith that an Entertainment Noise Assessment report was included in the latest application. Mr Frith informed HTC that he felt not all readings were detailed on the report.

Gary Cox – 21 Kingsway – expressed concerns with regard to parking and traffic issues as there is no designated parking available and asked what could be done about it.

Kevin Frith – Asked whether HTC were aware of barriers placed outside and could anything be done about it. The barriers are situated in the area to keep smokers within the boundary of the premises.

Cllr Double clarified the role of HTC within the planning application process and confirmed that HTC review applications made in the area and express an opinion only. The decision regarding approval or refusal is made by TDC.

Gary Cox expressed concerns over policing in the town and the time taken to attend incidents. Cllr Calver confirmed that the local Police Inspector has been invited to a Full Council Meeting to discuss policing and other relevant issues.

P041/12 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr R Callender, C Callender, Todd, Flavell, Day and Thompson.

P042/12 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr McLeod referred to his position on the Development & Control Committee at TDC.

P043/12 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Planning meeting held on Wednesday 29th August 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

P044/12 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Cllr I Henderson updated members on item P039/12 and confirmed that the site visit did not take place as TDC Planning Committee did not attend.

P045/12 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Committee considered a schedule of planning applications for weeks ending

31st August, 7th September, and 14th September. Cllr Calver declared a non-pecuniary interest in application 12/00972/FUL as the applicant is his sister-in-law.
RESOLVED: Recommendations in Appendix ‘A’ be submitted to Tendring District Council.

P046/12 MATTERS RECEIVED IN POST OR INFORMATION ITEMS RAISED BY MEMBERS
Draft Local Plan – Cllr I Henderson updated Members and confirmed amendments had been agreed to draft plan to include Horsley Cross as a potential employment site. There will be further consultation with the pubic and Cllr I Henderson urged the public to give their support.
Rural Infrastructure Project – Members discussed areas which they felt should included such as the A120 and village link to Clacton-on-Sea.
RESOLVED: Clerk to arrange a further meeting to discuss and put forward comments.

P047/12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Town Planning meeting will be held at the 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich, on 10th October 2012 at 6.30pm.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 6.57pm

Chairman Date

APPENDIX A

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL: Recommendations of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 19th September 2012

WEEK ENDING 31st AUGUST

None received.

WEEK ENDING 7th September

12/00983/FUL

G C Management

12/00972/FUL

Mrs J Mealing

Change of use from restaurant (Use Class A3) to nightclub (Sui Gemeris) (Retention of).

Erection of porch.

HTC objects to the application on the grounds that the noise level resulting from the presence of a night club will have an unacceptably negative impact on the residents living within the town centre. The inappropriate, rowdy and sometimes violent behaviour resulting from the presence of a nightclub will have an unacceptable negative impact on the town centre and those using the town centre during the evening and night. Harwich Town Council believes that there is not adequate parking adjacent to the night club to allow easy dispersal or to do so without causing unacceptable nuisance to residents.

If the planning officers were mindful to approve the application then HTC requests that it is a Committee decision and not by delegated powers.

No objection

WEEK ENDING 14th SEPTEMBER

None Received