Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 21/02708/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager and the following additional condition:

·         Condition 7 to be added with the following:

“Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted full details of surface treatment for the access track shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such works shall thereafter be completed in accordance with the approved details or particulars prior to the first occupation of the development and thereafter retained and maintained to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the any new hard surface is of sensitive construction to minimise impact on landscape.”

Councillor Ian Moody announced to the Chair that he had a declaration of interest in this item and, once he had completed his presentation as Member Advocate, he would leave the Chamber for the remainder of the item.

The Planning Officer advised of updates to the report including:

·         There was an administrative error which had wrongly seen the consultation expiry date listed as the 9 March 2022. Neighbours and relevant consultees had previously been consulted and there was no ongoing consultation.

·         Additional comments had been received from CPRE regarding the impact on the greenbelt, encroachment into the countryside and concern about future development following creation of access track.

·         Two additional comments had been received from neighbours regarding the change of size of stables from the permission granted in 2006 and the impact of the access track.

·         There had been an assessment of the track carried out as detailed in paragraph 4.3.20. When the site is viewed in the round, the development and track would not have an undermining impact on the greenbelt.

The Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 21/02708/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that a further condition was being added to ensure details of surface treatments would be provided. At the moment it was expected to be tarmac, but a condition could be added to consider other surfaces.

The Chair invited Gary Conrad to speak against the application.

Mr Conrad thanked the Chair for the chance to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation including:

·         Irrespective of the existing building, these proposals would affect the greenbelt in this area, which is one of the most attractive views in North Herts.

·         This development would extend beyond the village boundary and fails to take into account the reality of the site.

·         The roadway outlined in the report is detailed as an existing track, but this does not exist and to access the site you would need to cross a field, which would mean about 120 metres of tarmac across greenbelt land.

·         These proposals would affect the three neighbouring properties, with impact on privacy of residents and disturbance from vehicles servicing the site.

·         The creation of a new access road would have an impact on the footpath users.

·         Approval of this access road could then lead to further development across the entire field.

·         Permission granted in 2006 for the site was for a single story stable with a low roof. In 2007, the stable was moved and the roof height was made higher than that which was granted permission and this higher height was now being used for this application.

·         The new occupants would be able to see into the grounds, first floor and gardens of the three adjacent properties, thus affecting privacy.

·         The gardens of the existing dwellings currently have low level fencing, due to their positioning, and this development would impact those.

The Chair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56