Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Upgrade of existing pumping station to provide nitrate removal plant and equipment including change of use of land for operational purposes and all associated works.

RESOLVED: That application 21/02768/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, including an amendment to Condition 13 and the addition of Condition 14 as follows:

“Condition 13

Prior to commencement, a single method statement for the clearance of vegetation should be submitted to the LPA for consideration. This should incorporate the key considerations outlined in the mitigation measures for the safeguarding of hedgehogs, nesting birds and reptiles in sections 6.3. 6.4 and 6.5 of the Ecological Impact Assessment by SLR Consulting Limited (Ref: 402.06511.00007 Version No:2),  including those relating to the time of year.

Reason: In the interests of nature conservation     

Condition 14

Prior to the commencement of the development a Landscape and Ecology Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out and thereafter maintained in accordance with the approved Plan.

Reason: In the interests of nature conservation.”

Audio recording – 178 minutes 58 seconds

N.B. The Chair allowed a short break following the conclusion of Agenda Item 9.

The Planning Officer advised Members that Herts Ecology had provided their response and this had been shared with Members ahead of the meeting, but in summary no objections had been made.

The Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 21/02768/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The Chair invited Mr Alistair Gammell to speak against the application.

Mr Gammell thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation, including:

·         As a keen conservationist and trout fisherman, he was interested in the conservation of chalk streams.

·         Oughtonhead Common was the largest area of its type within Hertfordshire and was a well-used and much-loved site within the local community and is a local nature reserve, with priority habitat sites.

·         Herts Ecology noted that without any evidence to the contrary, it is appropriate to be concerns about the possible negative impacts of the decisions on the wetlands and other wildlife habitats.

·         All evidence suggests that there may be negative ecological effects on site and no consultees have suggested evidence that there will not be.

·         Sites should enhance existing habitats and minimise impact from developments, with mitigations applied where appropriate.

·         There is no evidence in the report that there will be a net biodiversity gain, given the losses expected to Oughtonhead Local Nature Reserve.

There were no points of clarification for Mr Gammell from Members and the Chair thanked him for his presentation.

The Chair invited Councillor Sam North to speak against the application as Member Advocate.

Councillor North thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and advised of the following:

·         The development is proposing to extract high levels of water adjacent to this important natural habitat and recently the common has run dry, causing concern amongst local residents and users of the common.

·         Only 200 chalk stream worldwide and 85% are found in England and are very rare habitats, supporting life both in and around the water.

·         Due to the Climate Emergency declared by the Council this application should be rejected as this proposed water extraction will have an impact on the nature reserve and the special habitat it offers wildlife.

·         The proposals transfer the water resilience in the area and would push the problem to another area in the district.

·         These proposals, as noted in the report, would have an adverse impact on the green belt and further demonstrate reasons for refusal.

There were no points of clarification for Councillor North from Members and the Chair thanked him for his presentation.

The Chair invited Dr Ilias Karapanos and Ms Rebecca Lock, as the applicant and applicant’s representative, to speak in support of the application.

Ms Lock thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and advised of the following:

·         This site is important part of Affinity Water strategic plans, agreed with the Environment Agency  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10