Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Conversion and extension of existing outbuildings to form two semi-detached 3-bed dwellings including creation of vehicular access off Radcliffe Road together with associated parking and amenity area (as amended by plan received 21.10.20).

RESOLVED: That application 20/01638/FP be DEFERRED for the following reason:

Pending further information on all matters relating to the issues discussed by the Planning Control Committee.

Audio recording – 28 minutes 16 seconds

Conversion and extension of existing outbuildings to form two semi-detached 3-bed dwellings including creation of vehicular access off Radcliffe Road together with associated parking and amenity area (as amended by plan received 21.10.20).

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 20/01638/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans and provided the Committee with the following updates:

·                The amended plan, Revision A to the proposed plans and elevations, showed more clarity in terms of the rooflights proposed on the rear elevation of the refurbished and extended building.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Mike Rice;

·                Councillor Tony Hunter.

The Principal Planning Officer responded to questions as follows:

·                Current access to the site was via the applicant’s own land between numbers 59 and 60 Radcliffe Road;

·                There would be a planning condition securing electrical vehicle charging points;

·                The overall height of the building would be raised from 6.3 metres to 6.7 metres.

Ms Lisa Montague, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee in objection to application 20/01638/FP.

Ms Montague gave a verbal presentation including:

·                In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, sustainable development must meet present needs which included the ability for local residents to access parking within the Control Parking Zone (CPZ);

·                There were two petitions objecting to the second access route to the development - one of 44 residents to North Herts District Council and one of 54 residents to Hertfordshire County Council;

·                There was no need for a second access route, the existing one could be used and this would represent more efficient use of land;

·                She had no objection to developing the site in principle, but not at the expense of local residents and parking;

·                The proposed development would remove two on-street parking spaces from an already congested area where parking was a problem;

·                The following sections of the NPPF were cited in support of this position: 102E e), 92A, 92C, 122 and 123C Section 12.

Mr Duncan Leach, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee in objection to application 20/01638/FP.

Mr Leach gave a verbal presentation including:

·                The second access route off the highway was not needed, use of the existing access would allow the development to proceed with zero harm;

·                He considered that the necessary consultation with the relevant stakeholders for amending the CPZ had not occurred;

·                He showed the Committee a photograph showing the busy parking on the road which had increased due to people staying at home during the pandemic.

Councillor Ian Albert, Member Advocate, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee in objection to application 20/01638/FP.

Councillor Ian Albert gave a verbal presentation including:

·                This was the latest in a series of applications in the roads off Walsworth Road and Nightingale Road, Hitchin, which were likely to have a detrimental effect on parking and increase the number of vehicles in the area;

·                The development would necessitate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75