Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 20/01886/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons contained in the report of the Senior Planning Officer.

NB: The Committee took a comfort break at 20.50

The meeting resumed at 20.55 at which time the Committee, Member and Scrutiny Manager undertook a roll call.

Audio recording 6 minutes 32 seconds

Erection of homeless shelter to provide 40 bedspaces including creation of vehicular access off Pixmore Avenue, parking, landscaping and associated works (as amended by plans received 12th January 2021).

NB: Committee Member Councillor Sue Ngwala advised that she would be acting as a Member Advocate for this item and would not take part in the debate or vote on this item only.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 20/01886/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans, and provided the following updates:

·                It was clarified that the applicant was Haven First and the application was submitted on their behalf by the agent, Smith Jenkins Ltd;

·                There was an error in the published Committee report at paragraph 3.21 which stated that some representations had been removed from the website. However, it was confirmed that no representations had been removed from the website at this time. Representations had been reviewed by the Council’s Policy Team and it had been considered that over 60 of the representations were inappropriate, inflammatory, offensive or based on a negative stereotype of homeless people. As such, all the representations from local residents, management companies and businesses would be removed from the Council’s website after the Committee meeting, as the Council could not condone inappropriate or offensive representations. However the relevant material planning considerations raised had been considered in the report;

·                With reference to paragraph 3.20 of the report, in response to publicity the Local Planning Authority had received 86 representations - 82 were objections, 3 were in support and 1 was neutral;

·                The Crime Prevention Design Advisor, Hertfordshire Constabulary, was incorrectly referred to as the Architectural Liaison Officer in paragraph 4.3.90;

·                There was an error in paragraph 3.3.113.  A condition was not recommended in relation to the use class. The following informative was recommended:

“A homeless shelter does not fall within a Use Class as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) and is a 'sui generis' use (a use falling 'in a class of its own').  Therefore, planning permission would be required for any change of use of the approved development.”

·                The applicant had agreed to pre-commencement conditions 11, 13 and 17, but had suggested changes to the wording of the other pre-commencement conditions.  Following consultation with the relevant consultees it had been agreed with the agent to change the wording to some of the conditions as follows, as their requested wording was reasonable and acceptable:

3.  Details and/or samples of materials to be used on all external elevations and the roof of the development hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to any works above slab level commencing. The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

4.  Notwithstanding the approved plans, a detailed landscape scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and subsequently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105