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 19 July 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from Councillor Val Duschinsky.

There were no pecuniary interests declared.

None.

The Committee noted the updated information contained within the published addendum in relation to agenda items 6, 7 and 8.

This item was deferred from the previous Strategic Planning Committee meeting which took place on 19 July 2023 for Officers to attach conditions to the report, should the Committee be minded to vote against Officers recommendation for refusal and approve the application.

The Planning Officer presented the report and addendum.

Melvyn Sears 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 Ammar Naqvi

-        Councillor Laithe Jajeh

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

Following discussion, Councillor Richard Barnes stated that given the strategic significance of retaining and enhancing this important borough-wide sports facility and the resulting public benefit the development constitutes very special circumstances, which significantly outweigh the harm to the green belt and the application should be approved.

Councillor Richard Barnes then moved a motion which was seconded by Councillor Eva Greenspan to approve the application (against Officers recommendation) with an additional condition to include wording on the opening hours in the management plan.

The Chair moved to vote on the motion to approve the application and additional condition.

Votes were declared as follows:

For (approval) – 9

Against (approval) – 0

Abstention – 0

RESOLVED that this application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the inclusion of an additional condition detailing the opening times of the club in the management plan for which Officers would confirm the wording of.

The Planning Officer presented the report to the Committee.

Stuart Minty, 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 (approval) – 0 

Abstention – 0

RESOLVED that the application be approved subject to a Section 106 agreement and 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).

The Planning Officer presented the report to the Committee.

Stuart Minty, 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 (approval) – 0 

Abstention – 0

RESOLVED that the application be approved subject to a Section 106 Agreement and 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.