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Meeting of the Area Planning Committee (Central) held on 30/01/2008
Agenda



To: All Members of the PLANNING COMMITTEE (CENTRAL AREA)
(Other Members for Information)


Fax No: 01483-523475

Your ref:

Our ref:

When calling please ask for: Fiona Cameron

Direct line: 01483 523226

E-Mail: fcameron@waverley.gov.uk

Date: 21st January 2008

Membership of the Area Planning Committee (Central)
Cllr B A Ellis (Chairman)Cllr S N Reynolds
Cllr B J Morgan (Vice Chairman)Cllr A E B Taylor-Smith
Cllr Mrs E CableCllr Ms J R Thomson
Cllr S P ConnollyCllr K Webster
Cllr N P HolderCllr R A Welland
Cllr P J MartinCllr Mrs L Wheatley
Cllr T E MartinCllr A Wilson


Dear Councillors

A meeting of the AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE (CENTRAL) will be held as follows:-

DATE: WEDNESDAY 30th JANUARY 2008

TIME: 7.15PM (or at the conclusion of the Area Planning Committee (Eastern) meeting, if later)

The Agenda for the meeting is set out below.

Yours sincerely


MARY ORTON
Chief Executive

NOTE FOR MEMBERS

Members are reminded that Contact Officers are shown in each report and members are welcome to raise questions, etc. in advance of the meeting with the appropriate officers.
AGENDA


1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN

To confirm the appointment of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, made at the meeting of the Area Planning Committee (Eastern) on 2nd January 2008.


2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive any apologies for absence.


3. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

To receive from Members declarations of personal and prejudicial interest in relation to any items included on the Agenda for this meeting in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.


4. QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from members of the public of which notice has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.


5. QUARTERLY PLANNING ENFORCEMENT UPDATE REPORT
[Wards Affected: Godalming Binscombe;
Godalming Central & Ockford; Godalming Charterhouse;
Godalming Farncombe & Cattleshall; Godalming Holloway;
Elstead & Thursley; Milford; Witley & Hambledon]

To receive the quarterly report at APPENDIX A on enforcement action taken.


6. APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING PERMISSION

6.1 Site inspections arising from this meeting

In the event of site inspections being necessary, as a result of consideration of the applications before this meeting, these will be held on Wednesday 20th February 2008 at a time to be agreed at the meeting.

6.2 Applications for planning permission

To consider the report at SCHEDULE B attached.


7. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

To consider the following recommendation on the motion of the Chairman:-

Recommendation

That, pursuant to Procedure Rule 20 and in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the item, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information (as defined by Section 100I of the Act) of the description specified in the revised Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 viz:-

Item 8

Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings (paragraph 5).


8. LEGAL ADVICE

To consider any legal advice relating to any applications in the agenda.


For further information or assistance, please telephone Fiona Cameron, Democratic Services Officer, on 01483 523226 or fcameron@waverley.gov.uk
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G:\planning\Planning Committee Index Lists\Index of Central Applications.doc


INDEX OF APPLICATIONS
CENTRAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
30TH JANUARY 2008
PAGE NO.
ITEM
PLAN REFLOCATION
Part A -Applications subject to public speaking
Part B -Applications not subject to Public Speaking
B1WA/2007/0964Erection of two buildings to provide B1/B8 use following demolition of existing building at Woodside Park, Catteshall Lane, Godalming
APPENDIX A
WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE (CENTRAL)
30th JANUARY 2008

Title:
PLANNING ENFORCEMENT UPDATE REPORT FOR CENTRAL
[Wards Affected: Godalming Binscombe; Godalming Central & Ockford;
Godalming Charterhouse; Godalming Farncombe & Cattleshall;
Godalming Holloway; Elstead & Thursley; Milford; Witley & Hambledon]

Summary and purpose:

The purpose of this report is to provide Members of the Area Planning Committees with a report on progress of the Planning Enforcement Service for the quarter of July to September 2007.

E-Government implications:

There are no direct e-government implications since the majority of the work is confidential and not open to public scrutiny.

Resource and legal implications:

There are no direct resource implications arising from the report itself. However, the report may form part of the background for a wider service review to be considered by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Executive.

There are no direct legal implications arising from the report.

1. Introduction.

This report is intended to bring Members up to date with enforcement performance for the period July to September 2007. The report will also refer to current issues impacting on the Enforcement Service. It will also inform Members to the work already in hand with regard to bringing some long running cases to a head. Please note that when this report refers to a breach of planning control a breach is one individual site irrespective of the number of complaints received about the site.

Sections 1 – 6 of this report refer to Borough-wide development.

2. Staffing Issues.

The Enforcement Team has now been fully staffed since the end of September 2007. The Team consists of an admin technician, 2 Compliance Officers, an Enforcement Officer, a Senior Enforcement Officer and the Principal Enforcement Officer. The arrival of the 2 Compliance Officers has had a very positive impact on the workload and the backlog of new cases that has accumulated during 2007 is now being addressed. It is anticipated that the current workload will be under control by Spring 2008, allowing for the new officers training.

3. New Cases.

Between July and September 2007 the Team received 158 alleged breaches of planning control.

The table below shows a significant reduction in the number of investigations completed and number of cases closed within 8 weeks. This was expected given how short staffed the Team has been.

4. Notices served

In this quarter 10 Planning Contravention Notices and 6 Enforcement Notice have been served.

Oct-Dec
Jan-Mar
Apr-Jun
Jul-Sep
    Cases Received
115
169
184
158
Investigations completed
182
216
80
82
Cases on hand
830
784
869
959
% Investigated within 8 weeks
84.0%
70%
90.6%
29%
Cases closed
227
215
99
68
Enforcement notices served
4
1
6
6
PCN’s served
13
9
9
10
Stop Notices served
2
0
0
0
Prosecutions
0
0
0
0
    Direct Action
0
0
0
0

5. Appeal Performance

One appeal decision has been received this quarter. This was Beechnut House, HindheadRoad. The requirements of the notice are to remove the two-storey building and hard standing. The appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspector and the Notice upheld with variations allowing the foundations to remain and the time for compliance was extended from three to six months. The compliance date is now 20 March 2008.

6. High Hedge Complaints

There is one appeal still outstanding but this has now had the Planning Inspectors site visit and we are awaiting his decision. No further new High Hedge complaints have been received in this quarter. However, officers are still receiving many enquiries regarding high hedges and the interpretation of this legislation.

7. Current Update on Previous Enforcement Cases

The following are cases where formal notices have been issued but compliance with the notices have not been met. In most cases the owners of the respective land/property are now co-operating with the Enforcement Team in addressing their individual breaches thus making them responsible for their actions and avoiding lengthy and costly court procedures.

Updates since the previous report are shown in bold type.
Members are reminded that if they require further information on these cases or have questions please contact the Enforcement Team.

49 Minster Road, Godalming

Detached garage not built according to approved plan (WA99/0162). Committee resolved to take enforcement action 17.09.03. Enforcement Notice served. Appeal dismissed. Date for compliance expired on 14.01.05. Owner submitted further applications for alternative schemes. Most recent application refused; appeal dismissed – work undertaken by owner not sufficient to comply with the Enforcement Notice – instructions for prosecution action being drafted for legal.

Enforcement Officer: Gina Pink

Tuesley Farm, Tuesley Lane, Godalming

Enforcement Notice served on 29 July 2004 to secure removal of polytunnels, fences/windbreaks, mobile homes and associated engineering works. Appeal dismissed, compliance 12 months. High Court appeal dismissed 15 December 2006. WA/07/1962 – erection of up to 20 hectares poly tunnels on a rotational basis within defined areas on the 190 hectares agricultural holding. Approved 28 November 2007. Compliance date for removal of mobile homes 15 December 2007. Request to extend time received.

Enforcement Officer: David Andrews & Hilary Hobbs


Recommendation

That Members note the actions put in place to improve performance on planning enforcement but also note the continuing difficulties with staffing issues and high workloads at the present time.

Background Papers (CS&PD)

There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.

CONTACT OFFICER:

Name: Gina Pink Telephone: 01483 523114
Principal Planning Enforcement Officer Email: gpink@waverley.gov.uk

im3511_20080122_131109.pdf