Minutes:
The Chairman explained that this Item had been added to the agenda as an urgent item by Nick Harding. The Chairman stated that he has known the owners of the land in question for many years and left the room for the duration of the item. He took no part in the discussion or voting. In his absence, Vice-Chairman Councillor Sam Clark chaired this item)
Nick Harding informed the Committee that following the recent approval of planning permission at Land South East of Mole End, Gull Road, Guyhirn (F/YR16/0194/F Minute P/73/17) it was necessary to bring this item back to the Committee for further approval of a condition attached to the planning permission. He made members aware that Cambridgeshire County Council had requested an archaeological trial-trench condition be added to the planning permission as nearby evidence had shown this was an area of archaeological interest. He proposed that members consider this and decide whether that condition can be added.
Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows;
· Councillor Mrs Laws stated that she believed the condition should be added as Cambridgeshire County Council have requested this based on evidence of nearby activity.
· Councillor Sutton reminded members that when the planning permission was granted, it was agreed that himself and Councillor Sam Clark decided the conditions. He considered other applications granted nearby and felt it was unreasonable to add this condition to the planning permission as no other applications had been subject to this. He believed it was unfair to the developer to have this condition attached as the areas of interest were located a distance away from the site and trenching could be costly. He confirmed that no discussions had taken place between himself, the Applicant or Agent.
· Councillor Connor asked officers an estimated cost of the proposed trial-trench work and said if the cost was high it may prevent the site being developed. Nick Harding confirmed that he has no knowledge of this area and therefore cannot estimate the cost.
· Councillor Connor agreed that applying a condition to this site is unfair to the developer as other applications have not had to carry out this work.
· Councillor Mrs Laws disagreed and said the fact that Cambridgeshire County Council had requested this suggests it should be applied to the planning permission and is necessary. As we do not know the costs involved we are unaware if this will affect the development or not.
· Nick Harding highlighted that Cambridgeshire County Council’s comments were noted in the report members received when considering the original planning application and a draft set of conditions were proposed based on the consultee’s comments.
· Councillor Sutton said from past experience the cost of trenching can be high and highlighted that money may need to be spent rectifying the site after the dig has taken place. Whilst he said the cost is not members concern, he believes the condition should not be added as it has not been applied to other local sites and is not fair to this developer.
· Councillor Mrs Hay said the cost is irrelevant and is not something members should consider. She clarified that if officers had recommended approval in the first instance for this a set of draft conditions would have been proposed by them after taking in to account Cambridgeshire County Council’s comments and members would have agreed to this condition being added. She said in regards to other sites, knowledge changes and something may have changed in regards to archaeological interest in the area meaning this site requires trenching. Therefore, she would like the condition to be added.
· Councillor Mrs Davis and Councillor Mrs Newell agreed with Councillor Mrs Hay.
Proposed by Councillor Sutton, seconded by Councillor Connor that planning permission is granted without an archaeological condition. A vote was taken which resulted in the need for a casting vote by the Chairman for this Item, Councillor Sam Clark, resulting in the application being GRANTED without an archaeological condition; against officer’s recommendation.