Agenda and minutes

Councillor Nigel Young, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee opened the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from Councillor Rishikesh Chakraborty, and Councillor Val Duschinsky who was substituted by Councillor Elliot Simberg.

There were no pecuniary interests declared. However, Councillor Richard Barnes and Councillor Claire Farrier both declared that they were Members on Planning Committee A which referred Item 6 (Barnet Elizabethans Rugby Football Club EN5 4NP – 23/1082/FUL) to this Committee. They both stated that they were considering this item with an open mind and would take into account all material considerations presented at this Committee meeting.

None.

The Committee noted the updated information contained within the published addendum in relation to agenda item 6 (Barnet Elizabethans Rugby Football Club EN5 4NP – 23/1082/FUL).

This item had been referred up to Strategic Planning Committee by the Chair of Planning A at the meeting which took place on Monday 10 July 2023.  The reason for the referral was due to the potential strategic consequences on the interpretation of the Greenbelt policy if the application were to be approved against the officers recommendation to refuse.

The Planning Officer presented the report and addendum.

Howard Malin addressed the Committee in favour of the officers recommendation for refusal.

Chris Strack addressed the Committee against the officers recommendation for refusal.

The Committee received representations against the officers recommendation to refuse the application:

-        Councillor Paul Edwards

-        Councillor David Longstaff

-        Councillor Emma Whysall

-        Councillor Laithe Jajeh

Jon Bradburn, the agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Following discussion, a majority of Councillors indicated that they were minded to approve the application against the officers recommendation for refusal and Councillor Eva Greenspan moved a motion, which was seconded by Councillor Elliot Simberg, to defer the application to the next Strategic Planning Committee in accordance with Part 3C, section 29.4 of the Committee Procedure Rules. The reason for the proposed deferral was that it was considered that on balance, the community benefits of the development outweighed the harm to the greenbelt. Upon the proposal to defer the application being put to the vote, the votes were declared as follows:

For – 5

Against – 4

Abstention – 0

RESOLVED that this item be deferred to the next Strategic Planning Committee on 12 September 2023 to allow for re-notification and enable Officers to review the conditions that would accompany the report.

The Planning Officer presented the report to the Committee.

Chief Rabbi Zimmerman addressed the Committee in support of the application.

James Clark, an agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee.

Following discussion, Councillor Nigel Young moved to vote on the Officers recommendations.

Votes were declared as follows:

For (approval) – 9

Against (against) – 0 

Abstention – 0

RESOLVED that the application be approved subject to conditions AND the Committee grants delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control to make any minor alterations, additions or deletions to the recommended conditions/obligations as set out in this report and addendum provided this authority shall be exercised after consultation with the Chair (or in their absence the Vice-Chair) of the Committee (who may request that such alterations, additions or deletions be first approved by the Committee).

None.