Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Outline planning application for residential development of up to 42 dwellings, all matters reserved but access (as amended by plans and information received 09-06-2020, 23-07-2020 and 10-12-2020).

Councillor Michael Muir advised that he was a Hertfordshire County Councillor. However, he had not had any input at County level on this application nor had the application gone before the Hertfordshire County Council Development Control Committee. Having sought advice from the Deputy Monitoring Officer, he would remain in the room and take part in the debate and vote on this item.

Councillor Sue Ngwala advised that the previous time this application came before the Committee she had seconded to a motion to refuse the application on Highways grounds. The application was deferred until a Highways officer could address the Committee. Having sought advice from the Deputy Monitoring Officer, she would remain in the room and take part in the debate and vote on this item as a Highways officer was present to provide information not available at the previous meeting.

Councillor Morgan Derbyshire exercised his Councillors’ Speaking Right and did not take part in the debate or vote on this item.

RESOLVED: That application 19/00520/OP be REFUSED planning permission for the following reason:

“In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposed vehicular access associated with this development would generate additional traffic onto Croft Lane which has a substandard road width. Such additional traffic would be to the detriment of highway safety in the locality, contrary to Policies T1, SP6 and SP7 of the Emerging North Hertfordshire District Local Plan (2011-2031) and to paragraphs 109 and 127 (f) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).”

Audio Recording – 6 minutes.

Councillor Michael Muir advised that he was a Hertfordshire County Councillor. However, he had not had any input at County level on this application nor had the application gone before the Hertfordshire County Council Development Control Committee. Having sought advice from the Deputy Monitoring Officer, he would remain in the room and take part in the debate and vote on this item.

Councillor Sue Ngwala advised that the previous time this application came before the Committee she had seconded to a motion to refuse the application on Highways grounds. The application was deferred until a Highways officer could address the Committee. Having sought advice from the Deputy Monitoring Officer, she would remain in the room and take part in the debate and vote on this item as a Highways officer was present to provide information not available at the previous meeting.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 19/00520/OP supported by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor David Levett;

In response the Senior Planning Officer advised that his recommendation was made on the basis of a balance between planning policy requirements, the level of harm anticipated as a result of the proposal, and the necessity to provide a form of access technically acceptable by Highways standards that would enable the development to provide the benefits of affordable housing and appropriate housing mix.

The Chair invited Mr Kevin Hinton and Mr Nathan Hanks to address the Committee.

Mr Kevin Hinton thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a presentation including:

·                He was a resident of the area for 37 years and was Chair of the Norton Action Group;

·                The officers report states that Croft Lane was the only feasible access option but the public consultation conducted by Vincent and Gorbing Ltd stated that Croft Lane access was the ‘achilles heel,’ of the development;

·                Impact to the surrounding conservation area had been limited by the current access options and would be increased if this development was approved;

·                Croft Lane was currently in keeping with the conservation area in that it was home to buildings designed by key architects involved in the foundation of Letchworth Garden City;

·                There were sight lines to the conservation area which would be impacted;

·                The report’s judgement that no substantial harm would ensure as a result of the access scheme and development was a judgement of convenience;

·                Croft Lane was 3.8m wide at its narrowest and there were no footpaths for 320 meters from the access to the proposed site;

·                Pedestrians and vehicles shared the access surface;

·                According to the access assessment vehicle movement would increase by 350% between 8AM-9AM;

·                The assessment did not make mention of the children expected on the site as a result of the 145 bedroom development;

·                The proposed pedestrian crossing would attract more pedestrians to Croft Lane;

·                The Information Commissioners Office had confirmed the NAG’s request for unredaction of key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16