Democracy in Crawley

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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms A & B - Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Email: Democratic.Services@crawley.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Disclosures of Interest

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

 

Minutes:

The following disclosures of interests were made:

 

Councillor

Item and Minute

Type and Nature of Disclosure

 

Councillor

G Thomas

CR/2019/0448/CON

Gatwick Airport, North of Main Runway, Crawley

(Minute 4)

Personal Interest –

CBC Representative on GATCOM 

 

 

 

2.

Lobbying Declarations

The Planning Code of Conduct requires Councillors who have been lobbied, received correspondence or been approached by an interested party with respect to any planning matter should declare this at the meeting which discusses the matter. Councillors should declare if they have been lobbied at this point in the agenda.

 

Minutes:

The following lobbying declarations were made by Councillors:- 

 

Councillor Hart had been lobbied regarding application CR/2018/0337/OUT.

 

Councillors Hart, Irvine, Jaggard, Malik, Purdy, P Smith and Thomas had been lobbied regarding application CR/2018/0381/FUL.

 

Councillors Hart, Irvine, Jaggard, Malik, Purdy, P Smith and Thomas had been lobbied regarding application(s) CR/2019/0448/CON.

 

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 22 July 2019.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 22 July 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

4.

Planning Application CR/2019/0448/CON - Gatwick Airport, North Of Main Runway, Crawley pdf icon PDF 975 KB

To consider report PES/323cof the Head of Economy and Planning.

 

RECOMMENDATION: NO OBJECTION

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/323(c) of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

 

Consultation From Gatwick Airport Limited For A Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET) To Runway 26L.

 

The Principal Planning Officer (HW) advised the Committee that, following publication of the report further responses had been received and whilst it was noted some of the statements duplicated those already received, the comments when summarised included:

·         Concerns raised on the increased capacity of passengers and flights and subsequent impact to roads and environment.

·         Passenger numbers at the airport had already increased beyond 45mppa.

·         Nearby villages would be affected.

·         Lack of infrastructure proposal provided by the airport.

·         Requests that the local planning authority re-consider the Environmental Impact Assessment.

·         Proposal was contrary to the Local Plan policy.

 

A verbal summation of the application was then provided. The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that further updates had been provided from Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) regarding traffic movements on the M23/spur road and the number of “go-arounds” recorded between April-June due to the runway being occupied. 

 

The recommendation was updated to suggest that the council did not object to the proposal and that all comments received would be submitted to GAL along with the Committee’s decision.

 

Mr Aidan Zeall (CAGNE), Mr Charles Lloyd (GACC) and Mr Richard Streatfeild (High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group) all addressed the meeting in objection to the proposal.  Some of the objections raised reflected those detailed in the report especially those relating to the increased impact on roads, rail and cargo with a lack of (green) infrastructure proposals. It was argued that there was a need for further scrutiny, through a requirement for a full planning application and there was overwhelming concern to reduce the number of “go-arounds” and amount of CO2, along with the need to address the impact on the countryside, environment and communities.

 

The Committee then considered the consultation response, including the comments raised by the speakers. In particular, some Councillors raised concerns regarding air quality, the effect on housing and employment, whilst acknowledging that in July 2019 Full Council declared a Climate Emergency. Reservations were also made regarding the impact that additional passengers and cargo could have on road and rail systems. Further clarification was sought on the figures for the net reduction of “go-arounds”.  Other Councillors commented that whilst the environmental issues were important, on balance the proposal was not felt to have a detrimental effect and the decision must be taken on the consultation before them.  It was added that the majority of local authority consultees had not submitted comments, with only one commenting whilst the proposal may result in a very small noise increase, it may be safer and more efficient and that on balance there was no objection.

 

In response to the various planning issues and concerns raised by the Committee, the Principal Planning Officer:

 

·         Confirmed the proposal was a planning consultation by GAL in respect of permitted development rights. These rights under Class F were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Planning Application CR/2018/0337/OUT - Hilton (South Terminal) London Gatwick Airport, Eastway, Gatwick Airport, Crawley pdf icon PDF 304 KB

To consider report PES/323aof the Head of Economy and Planning.

 

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/323(a) of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

 

Erection Of Multi-Storey Hotel Car Park.

 

Councillor Jaggard declared she had visited the site.

 

The Principal Planning Officer (MR) provided a verbal summation of the application and updated the Committee that since the publication of the report comments had been received from the Arboricultural Officer raising no objection, subject to tree protection measures being in place but this could be covered by reserved matters. Furthermore, it was noted that a S106 agreement would secure a contribution towards off site provision of trees on CBC land.

 

The Committee then discussed the application. In response to the queries raised, the Principal Planning Officer:

 

·         Provided confirmation that it was considered acceptable subject to the planting of native woodland on CBC land to compensate for the residual loss of biodiversity. The species of trees on site would be dealt with under the reserved matters application.

·         Clarified that Gatwick Airport Limited had a programme of work and this may include further work on car parks, however this was not an application by GAL.

 

RESOLVED

 

Permit, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement, together with the conditions and informatives set out in report PES/323a.

6.

Planning Application CR/2018/0381/FUL - Former Gas Holder Site, North Of Crawley Avenue, Pound Hill, Crawley pdf icon PDF 227 KB

To consider report PES/323bof the Head of Economy and Planning.

 

RECOMMENDATION to REFUSE

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/323(b) of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

 

Retrospective Application For Change Of Use Of Land To Airport Related Parking For A Temporary Period Of 12 Months And Retention Of Hard-Standing And Fencing.

 

The Principal Planning Officer (MR) provided a verbal summation of the application. The Committee was informed that the application was deemed to be contrary to policy GAT3 of the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2015-2030.  This states that all additional or replacement airport related car parking must be on-airport. 

 

The Committee then considered the application.  In response to issues raised, the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the Council had powers to take action in order to deal with breaches of planning control.

 

RESOLVED

 

Refuse, for the reasons listed in report PES/323b.