Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

(1)       That application 20/00507/FP be DEFERRED to enable the following to be undertaken:

1)      Request that the applicant respond to HCC highways comments and / or request officers to organise a meeting with them to see if the Highways issues can be resolved;

2)      The applicant to be requested to provide a copy of the Environment Agency water extraction licence;

3)      Officers be requested to contact Herts Ecology to check whether they have any comments or advice on water extraction and the impact on ecology in that location from the wider development;

4)      Request that the applicant confirm the method used to transport water from Graffam Water to the site;

5)      Officers be requested to provide a legal view as to whether water extraction is a valid material planning consideration.

(2)       That the Development and Conservation Manager be requested to provide the Planning Control Committee with a report regarding all of the matters in (1) above once these matters are finalised.

Audio recording – 7 minutes 5 seconds

The Planning advised that Highways maintained an objection, therefore the recommendations contained in the report should be amended to read:

“That subject to any objections by Highways being resolved and any additional highways conditions being added, that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions and reasons contained in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.”

He further advised that the Environment Agency had confirmed that a water extraction licence was already held therefore no additional licence was required. Therefore water extraction was not a material consideration in this case as it is an issue for the Environment Agency rather than the Local Planning Authority.

The Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 20/00507/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

Ms Diane Burleigh thanked the Vice-Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee in objection to application 20/00507/FP and gave a verbal presentation including:

·                She was speaking in a personal capacity;

·                Pirton Parish Council had raised concerns regarding the impact of the development;

·                They had particular concern regarding the impact of the proposed water extraction springhead and the river;

·                There was no assessment of the impact on the springhead and the Nature Reserve or Wildlife Area;

·                There was a water extraction licence, but it had not been used for many years;

·                The comments regarding extraction were therefore premature as the effect of extraction of the Nature Reserve was unknown;

·                HMWT were extremely concerned about the impact of water extraction on the nature reserve and this issue was not addressed in the ecological assessment;

·                This was a serious omission as the balancing act Members were required to undertake could not be undertaken without this information;

·                Chalk Rivers were rare, the River Oughton was one of these and they hosted special types of flora and fauna

·                Oughtonhead Common was a Local Nature Reserve which was owned and managed by NHDC

·                It hosted more than 200 different types of plants, many species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, moths, insects, amphibians and mammals;

·                Without this information it was impossible for the LPA to assess whether significant impacts would occur and if these could be compensated;

·                She urged Members to refuse the application.

The following Members asked questions of Mrs Burleigh:

·                Councillor Tom Tyson;

·                Councillor Sue Ngwala.

In response to questions Mrs Burleigh advised:

·                That she was not aware of the motion passed by Council regarding the perilous nature of chalk streams;

·                There was no information provided regarding the amount of water to be extracted or the impact that would have.

The Vice-Chair thanked Mrs Burleigh for her presentation.

Councillors Sam North and Claire Strong thanked the Vice-Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee as Member Advocates in objection to application 20/00507/FP.

Councillor Sam North gave a verbal presentation including:

·                There were fewer than 200 chalk streams in the world;

·                Percent of these were in Hertfordshire;

·                Many species lived solely on these chalk streams;

·                Organisations had been warning of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44