Minutes for Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee meeting, May 26 2010, 7.30PM official page

Following recent changes to the Constitution, Neighbourhood Committees now appoint the Chair instead of Annual Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Yogan Yoganathan be appointed Chair and Councillor Bob Steed be appointed Vice-Chair of the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee.

From 7:35pm to 7:50pm the Committee dealt with questions and other matters raised by residents. A summary of these is attached but does not form part of the minutes of the meeting. 

2 Oakhill Road, Surbiton

A petition was received from a Mr Graham Goldspring signed by 60 residents opposing the Planning Application relating to No 2 Oakhill Road (10/16132).  The petition was considered during discussion of the planning application, and was passed to the Planning Officer. 

Tudor Lodge, 8 Oakhill Road, Surbiton

A petition was received from a Mr Brian Young signed by 37 residents calling on the Council to address the enforcement issues relating to the site. The petition was passed to the Planning Officer for a written response.

Councillor Malcolm Self declared a prejudicial interest in the planning applications at Land at the Rear of 32-40 The Ridings, Surbiton and 89 Ditton Road, Surbiton.

Reason: He is a friend of the applicant, and had dealings with the other  applicant in relation to an insurance claim following a car accident  respectively.

Councillor Liz Green declared a prejudicial interest in the planning application at Land at the Rear of 32-40 The Ridings, Surbiton.

Reason: She lives in close proximity to the site.

Councillor Bob Steed declared a prejudicial interest in the planning applications at  St Marks Church, St Marks Hill, Surbiton.

Reason: He lives in close proximity to the site.

Community Plan

The Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee has agreed to develop a Neighbourhood Community Plan.  This will be developed with the help of local people and will represent the needs and aspirations of the local community.  We have taken the first steps to develop a Plan with two public workshops in March attended by well over a hundred people who live and work in Surbiton and Tolworth.

We are putting together a Steering Group made up of local people who will work with Neighbourhood Councillors, council officers and our Partners to develop the Community Plan.  Those who would prefer not to be on a Steering Group may wish to participate in a wider Community Panel which will be used to sound out ideas on the Community Plan.  To get involved please e-mail christina.gardner@rb.kingston.gov.uk or call 020 8547 5369.

Farmers’ Market

The options for arrangements for the Farmers Market will be reported to a future meeting of the Neighbourhood Committee and the organisers are being kept informed.  In the meantime the Council has given permission for the Farmers Market to continue and the next one will take place on 19^th June see www.mapleroadsurbiton.co.uk for further information.

Party in the Park – Millennium Green, Alexandra Recreation Ground

The Alexandra Neighbour’s Association are holding a Family Fun event on Sat. 19^th June from 2 p.m. on the Millennium Green with children’s entertainment, face painting,  bungey run, rodeo bull, gladiators, hot food and much more.

National Vegetarian Week 2010 – Mon 24^th – Sun. 30^th May

Further information, details of recipes, special events etc. can be found on www.nationalvegetarianweek.org or call 0161 925 2000

Neighbourhood e-bulletin

This is an inexpensive way of getting information to people who live or work in the Neighbourhood.  If you would like to subscribe or find out more, please e-mail gemma.gallant@rbk.kingston.gov.uk or phone 020 8547 5369.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

The arrangements which operated from 2006-2010 for public participation at meetings, handling planning applications and the other regulatory functions within the Neioghbourhood Committee responsibilities were reviewed.

The aim of the arrangements is to enable the Committee to work effectively, enable public participation and avoid overlong agendas and meeting overload.

The Committee has also set up working groups on particular issues, involving resident representatives and this Neighbourhood also has a Member/Officer Group on the Surbiton Town Centre and a Joint Member/Officer Group with The South of the Borough Neighbourhood – see also Minute No 4.

In terms of participation by the public at meetings the well established arrangements provide a question time, and participation in the debate on items and the presentation of petitions.  and it was agreed that these continue unchanged  proposed that these continue, subject to any adjustments the committee wish to make.

The role of Neighbourhood Committees is evolving and work has begun on preparing a g Neighbourhood Community Plan involving local residents, businesses and external partners in its development.  The Committee will be discussing progress on  this and the consultation/community involvement arrangements at future meetings. 

RESOLVED that:

1.                  A Planning Sub Committee of all members be appointed to determine the planning matters within the responsibilities of the Committee;

2.                  the arrangements for public participation set out in paragraphs 8-11 be agreed;

3.                  licensing matters be dealt with at the Neighbourhood Committee meeting, wherever possible, but when necessary a Licensing Sub-Committee be established to deal with particular cases with arise and

4.                  the work on the development of the Surbiton Neighbourhood Community Plan be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION

To agree the arrangements for the way the Committee works.

A summary of the reasons for granting permission and of any relevant development plan policies and proposals is included in the report of the Director of Planning and Transportation on each application where permission is recommended.  Permitted applications are subject to the conditions, informatives and other requirements set out in the report together with any other details on late responses to consultations or comments received since the agenda was printed, revised drawings circulated at the meeting and amended recommendations, additional conditions and informatives set out below.

Applications refused are for the reasons set out in the report by the Director of Planning and Transportation and any amended reasons are set out below.

Under the arrangements for speaking on planning applications objectors and applicants spoke on the following applications.

Land at the Rear of 32-40 The Ridings, Surbiton 10/16002

Mr Elmer spoke as an objector to the proposal. There were no speakers on behalf of the applicant.

2 Oakhill Road, Surbiton  10/16132

Mr Goldspring spoke as an objector to the proposal. There were no speakers on behalf of the applicant.

89 Ditton Road, Surbiton  10/16151

Mr Arnaouti spoke as an objector to the proposal and Mr Trinder spoke on behalf of the applicant.

Amendments to planning permission 07/16486/FUL to provide new church hall, porch extension and church related facilities.  

PERMIT

Note: Councillor Bob Steed declared a prejudicial interest and left the room during discussion of this item.

Reason: He lives in close proximity to the site.

Details required by conditions of 08/16609 (appearance, layout,scale) - change to location of the approved house under permission 08/16609. 

In considering the report and the officer’s recommendation, members had concerns about the large scale and character of the application, and the inadequate access provisions.

REFUSE  

Reasons for refusal

1.   The proposed development by reason of its scale, design and layout is considered to represent an over dominant and cramped form of development which would be out of character with the surrounding area. The proposal therefore fails to accord with Policies BE11, BE12 and STR6 of the Royal Borough of Kingston Unitary Development Plan First Alteration.

2.   The proposed vehicular access is considered to unsatisfactory and would fail to provide adequate pedestrian and vehicular access, adequate servicing arrangements for emergency and servicing vehicles and fail to meet the needs of people with mobility difficulties. The proposal would not accord with Polices Be11, BE12, STR6 and T1 of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration. 

Note: Councillor Malcolm Self declared a prejudicial interest and left the room during discussion of this item.

Reason: He is a friend of the applicant.

Note: Councillor Liz Green declared a prejudicial interest and left the room during discussion of this item.

Reason: She lives in close proximity to the site.

Erection of 4 storey side extension with a room in the roof to provide 9 bedrooms for student accommodation.  

REFUSE

Additional reason

1.         The proposal by reason of its size and scale would be unsympathetic to the character and scale of the host property and the character and appearance of the Oakhill Conservation Area in general. The proposal would therefore be contrary to policies BE3 and BE11 of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration (2005).

Erection of a single storey rear extension.  

In considering the report and the officer’s recommendation, members had concerns about the appearance and size of the proposed development.

REFUSE  

Reasons for refusal

1.         The proposed extension would, by reason of its scale, bulk, siting and design, be an over dominant structure out of scale with the host property and would harm the character and appearance of the Southborough Conservation area contrary to policies BE3, BE11 and STR6 of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration 2005.

Note: Councillor Malcolm Self declared a prejudicial interest and left the room during discussion of this item.

Reason: He has had dealings with the applicant in relation to an insurance claim following a car accident.

Alteration during construction to create one additional 2 bedroom flat on ground floor to planning permission 08/16566/FUL (Erection of fifth floor and infilling of part of ground floor to create 7 additional flats comprising 2 x 1 bedroom, 4 x 2 bedroom and 1 x 3 bedroom flats; alterations to parking layout and associated landscaping).

In considering the report and the officer’s recommendation, members had concerns about the inadequate car parking provision identified for the development.

REFUSE  

Reasons for refusal

1.         The proposed development would lead to on-street parking congestion to the detriment of highway safety and contrary to Policies  BE12, T1 and T21 of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration 2005.

Erection of single storey rear extension. 

PERMIT

Erection of Single Storey Rear Extension.  

PERMIT

Conversion of existing bedsits to 2 x 2-bedroom and 4 x 1-bedroom flats to include associated changes to side elevation.  

PERMIT subject to a legal agreement outlined in the Officer’s report.

Alteration during construction to change height and depth of single storey rear extension re: RBK planning application 09/16098/FUL.

PERMIT

Erection of a two storey side, first floor front and rear and single storey rear extension.  

PERMIT

The Neighbourhood Committee has 3 bodies to which members need to be appointed.

These are the Alexandra Millennium Green Trust, the Surbiton Town Centre Project Member/officer working group – this is developing the next phase of improvements to the Town Centre, and the Tolworth Regeneration Project Member/officer working group – this a joint group with the South of the Borough Neighbourhood developing and overseeing proposals for the improvement of Tolworth Broadway.

RESOLVED that:

1.          Councillor Michael Burden is appointed as a trustee of the Millennium Green Trust for the period to May 2014.

2.         The following members be appointed to the Surbiton Improvement Strategy Member/Officer Working group: -

·       Councillor Yogan Yoganathan

·       Councillor Bob Steed

·       Councillor Mary Heathcote

·       Councillor Liz Green

·       Councillor Richard Hudson

·       Councillor Karen George

·       Councillor Umesh Parekh

·       Councillor Michael Burden

3.         That Councillor Richard Hudson, Councillor Malcolm Self, Councillor Michael Burden and Councillor John Burgess be appointed to the Tolworth Regeneration Member/Officer Working group.

REASON FOR DECISION

To make appointments to bodies within the Neighbourhood to ensure adequate representation of the views of the Committee.