Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Replace existing wood floor to Hitchin Town Hall using solid oak floor planks secret nailed/ glued to new hardwood support battens.

RESOLVED:  That application 20/02371/LBC be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager and the following additional condition and reason:

Condition 3 to be added to read:

“Notwithstanding the Method Statement dated 13/10/2020 prepared by Floorteq Limited and in which it states that 'Timber waste and general building debris to be transferred to waste skips via side entrance in Grammar School Walk', details regarding off-site disposal of the existing Kapur timber floor together with details of the source of the oak for the new floor, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the works hereby granted consent.  Thereafter, the works shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that special regard is paid to protecting the special architectural and historic interest and integrity of this grade II listed building under Section 16(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and to comply with the 'NHDC Climate Change Strategy 2020-2025' where at 'Appendix B - Proposed actions' it states that, NHDC will continue to work with its suppliers and contractors to minimise the environmental impact of their products and services across NHDC sites and to work with and where possible require its suppliers and contractors to reduce the impact of goods and services by considering whole life costs.”

Audio recording – 10 minutes 25 seconds

Replace existing wood floor to Hitchin Town Hall using solid oak floor planks secret nailed/glued to new hardwood support battens.

The Conservation Officer presented the report in respect of application 20/02371/LBC supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions and took part in debate:

·                Councillor Daniel Allen;

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Mike Hughson;

·                Councillor Tony Hunter.

In response to questions raised, the Conservation Officer responded as follows:

·                The application could have been approved by delegated authority if the building had not been owned by North Hertfordshire District Council;

·                A condition could be added to request that details of the oak floor to be used would be submitted to the Local Planning Authority to satisfy it that the material had come from a sustainable source, and also that the existing Kapur floor had been disposed of appropriately;

·                It should be possible to obtain a replacement bespoke key for the sprung floor, although it was unclear whether the sprung floor system would still be able to function and whether using the mechanism could cause problems.

It was proposed by Councillor Daniel Allen, seconded by Councillor Levett and upon being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED:  That application 20/02371/LBC be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager and the following additional condition and reason:

Condition 3 to be added to read:

“Notwithstanding the Method Statement dated 13/10/2020 prepared by Floorteq Limited and in which it states that 'Timber waste and general building debris to be transferred to waste skips via side entrance in Grammar School Walk', details regarding off-site disposal of the existing Kapur timber floor together with details of the source of the oak for the new floor, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the works hereby granted consent.  Thereafter, the works shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that special regard is paid to protecting the special architectural and historic interest and integrity of this grade II listed building under Section 16(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and to comply with the 'NHDC Climate Change Strategy 2020-2025' where at 'Appendix B - Proposed actions' it states that, NHDC will continue to work with its suppliers and contractors to minimise the environmental impact of their products and services across NHDC sites and to work with and where possible require its suppliers and contractors to reduce the impact of goods and services by considering whole life costs.”