To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

Declarations of interest were received from the following :-

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th March 2007

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th March, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Planning Services

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning Services (for copy see file of Minutes) the purpose of which was to ratify a decision made by Development Control Committee on 2^nd February to approve Planning Application 7/2006/0521/DM for residential development following confirmation from the Government Office for the North East, that the Secretary of State had decided not to call in the application to determine herself and that the application should remain with the Council for decision.

It was explained Development Control Committee on 2^nd February, 2007 endorsed officers recommendations for approval in respect of the above-mentioned planning application.  The decision to grant approval had been made in the knowledge that the application needed to be referred to GONE because whilst the housing development was on brownfield land the site was located outside the recognised residential framework of Trimdon Grange.

The purpose of referring the application to GONE was to enable the Secretary of State to decide whether or not she wished to call in the application to determine herself.

Notification had been received from GONE stating that the Secretary of State had decided not to call in the application and the application should remain within Sedgefield Borough Council for a decision.

RESOLVED :   That the recommendation for approval be endorsed and that the Head of Planning Services be given authority in consultation with the Borough’s Solicitor to enter into a Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the report to the Committee.

To consider the attached schedule of applications, which are to be determined by this Council.

Consideration was given to a schedule of applications for consent to develop.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

In respect of Application No ; 1 - Modifications to elevations, erection of rear extensions incorporating a granny annex, erection of canopy to front elevation and erection of triple garage to rear - The Larches, Thorpe Larches, Sedgefield,  Mr. M. Mehra, 39, The Leas, Sedgefield - Plan Ref : 7/2006/0737/DM - it was explained that since the preparation of the report a request had been received from Sedgefield Town Council for referral of the application bearing in mind the complexity of the application and the need for all information to be considered prior to determining the application.

The Committee considered that in order for Members to familiarise themselves with the development site a site visit be held on 30^th May, 2007 prior to determining the application.

RESOLVED :                     That in respect of Application No : 1 - Modifications to elevations, erection of rear extensions incorporating a granny annex, erection of canopy to front elevation and erection of triple garage to rear - The Larches, Thorpe Larches, Sedgefield,  Mr. M. Mehra, 39, The Leas, Sedgefield - the application be deferred pending a site visit to be held on 30^th May, 2007.

To consider the attached schedule of applications for consent to develop, which are to be determined by this Council.

Consideration was given to a schedule detailing applications for development by Sedgefield Borough Council.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :   That the recommendations detailed in the report be adopted.

A schedule of applications, which have been determined by Durham County Council is attached for information.

NB :             In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Member’s Code of Conduct, Councillors K. Henderson and J. Robinson, J.P., declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item and left the meeting for its duration.

A schedule of applications which were to be determined by Durham County Council and upon which the views and observations of this Council had been requested was considered.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :         That the schedule be received and the recommendations contained therein adopted.

To consider the attached schedule detailing an application which is to be determined by Darlington and upon which the views and observations of this Authority are being sought.

A schedule detailing an application which were to be determined by Darlington Borough Council and upon which the views and observations of this Council had been requested was considered.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :         That the schedule be received and the recommendations contained therein adopted.

A schedule of applications which had been  determined by Durham County Council.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :         That the schedule be received.

A schedule of applications, which have been determined by Officers by virtue of their delegated powers, is attached for information

Consideration was given to a schedule detailing applications which was to be determined by officers by virtue of their delegated powers.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :         That the schedule be received.

A schedule of appeals outstanding up to 17^th April 2007 is attached for information.

Consideration was given to a schedule detailing outstanding appeals to 17^th April, 2007.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :   That the schedule be received.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services in respect of recent planning appeal decisions. (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members noted that appeals in relation to a planning decision to refuse the erection of a 2 storey extension to the front of No. 19, Northside Buildings, Trimdon Grange and the planning decision to refuse outline planning permission for the erection of 2 dwellings on land at Eldon Hope Drift, Eldon had both been dismissed.

RESOLVED :                        That the information be received.

RESOLVED:             That in accordance with Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 6 of Part 1 of  Schedule 12a of the Act.

To consider the attached schedule of alleged breaches of planning control and action taken.

Consideration was given to a schedule detailing alleged breaches of planning control and action taken.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :   That the schedule be received.