Meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday 29 January 2008 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs T Sigsworth (Chair), C Barnfield, E Shaw, A Tribe, K Waites
400 Public Discussion Time
No members of the public were present
401 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were submitted by Cllrs D Kaye, S Simpson and G Turner. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above councillors be accepted as valid.
402 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr Shaw declared a personal interest in Item 8 Application No. 2008/62/90126.
403 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December be received.
404 Illegal Advertising Boards
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Cllrs Dodds and Ward apologising for not being able to attend the meeting to discuss this issue but outlining their views. Both indicated that neither had received any complaints from members of the public about A-Boards; that they had both walked around the Parish and had not come across any causing obstructions; in general they both support the use of these boards to encourage the development of local business for the continued sustainability of the villages within the ward. Geof Thorp, Kirklees Council Reactive Works Manager, attended the meeting to discuss the procedure for dealing with A-boards on pavements. He explained that Kirklees Council’s approach to this issue was a combination of policy and custom and practice, and that it should be dealt with through agreement about what works locally. When A-boards are positioned on pavements without causing obstructions, unless a complaint is received no action will be taken. However, if a complaint is received, he or a member of his team will visit those responsible for siting the A boards and request that they be removed. He explained that in Huddersfield town centre there is a complete ban on A-boards because in general the pavements are far too narrow to permit them to be sited without causing obstruction. It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council suggest that this issue be discussed by the new business association when it is established and that the situation be monitored.
405 Street Naming
The Clerk reported that because of the developer’s objections, Kirklees Council had rejected the Parish Council’s proposal that the new development off Wakefield Road/Langley Lane in Scissett be named ‘Blacker Dyke’. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
406 Erection of Hoarding Freestanding Sign, Denby Dale Cricket Club
The Clerk submitted a response from John Ritchie of Kirklees Council planning department to the Council’s complaint about the Jones Homes hoarding. It was pointed out that legislation dictates that the display of outdoor advertisements can only be controlled in the interests of ‘amenity’ and ‘public safety’ and that while the Council’s concerns about the purpose of the advertisement were understood, this was not a material consideration and could not therefore be a reason for refusing consent. It was RESOLVED that the response be noted.
407 Planning Notifications
Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.
408 Planning Decisions
The Clerk submitted a list of planning decisions. Members discussed application No. 2007/62/94372 which the Council had opposed due to the likely impact on trees with preservation orders but the application had been approved. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the Planning Department to establish whether any of the trees would be affected by the development. It was FURTHER RESOLVED that a Tree Preservation Officer be invited to the next meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee to provide an overview of the TPO process.
Signed: …………………………………..
(CHAIR)
