Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 22/00170/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory S106 Legal Agreement and the reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the following amendments:

·         Removal of Condition 21 as detailed in the report.

·         Condition 22 and Condition 23 to become Condition 21 and Condition 22 respectively.

·         Additional Conditions 23 and 24 to read:

“Condition 23

The development permitted by this planning permission shall be carried out in accordance with the following documents:

·         E-mail response dated 23 August 2022 from Nolan Associates

·         E-mail response dated 28 October 2022 from Nolan Associates

·         Drainage Strategy carried out by Nolan Associates dated March 2022 reference 2021- 087

·         CCTV and Connectivity Survey dated 9 May 2022 carried out by Wrc

·         Manhole Survey Report dated 27 May 2022 carried out by Wrc

and the following mitigation measures:

1.    Provide minimum surface water attenuation volume of 27m3 to ensure no increase in surface water run-off volumes for all rainfall events up to and including the 1 in 100 year + climate change (40%) event.

2.    Implement drainage strategy based on a tank and permeable paving for attenuation and treatment at a discharge rate of 2l/s into an existing surface water sewer (final details to be confirmed as part of a post demolition condition).

3.    Provide water quality treatment using permeable paving on 10 parking bays where all the impermeable areas including the access road will be directed to the permeable paving for treatment prior to discharge.

Reason To prevent flooding by ensuring the satisfactory storage of/disposal of surface water from the site.

Condition 24

No development shall take place, apart from the demolition of the current building, until the final design of the drainage scheme is completed and is approved by the LPA. The surface water drainage system will be based on the following approved documentation:

·         E-mail response dated 23 August 2022 from Nolan Associates

·         E-mail response dated 28 October 2022 from Nolan Associates

·         Drainage Strategy carried out by Nolan Associates dated March 2022 reference 2021- 087

·         CCTV and Connectivity Survey dated 9 May 2022 carried out by Wrc

·         Manhole Survey Report dated 27 May 2022 carried out by Wrc

The scheme shall also include:

1.    Post demolition survey of the existing drainage system to confirm the existing connection into a sewer. Should the survey determine the connection is into an existing combined sewer, the applicant will need to demonstrate that they have considered other options where possible to connect into another surface water sewer.

2.    Permission from Anglian Water to connect into their sewer including any required sewer upgrades due to capacity issues at the agreed rate of 2l/s.

3.    Detailed engineered drawings of the proposed SuDS features including their location, size, volume, depth and any inlet and outlet features including any connecting pipe runs and all corresponding calculations/modelling to ensure the scheme caters for all rainfall events up to and including the 1 in 100 year + 40% allowance for climate change  ...  view the full decision text for item 39

Audio recording – 117 minutes 52 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer advised of the following updates:

·         Two additional responses had been received, one from HCC Growth and Infrastructure Unit and one from the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), and these had been added as addenda to the report.

·         The applicant has agreed in principle to the S106 conditions proposed by Herts County Council subject to legal agreement.

·         The LFFA had proposed two further conditions to replace Condition 21 in the report.

·         No response had been received from HCC Ecology Unit, but a satisfactory response would be required before issuing a Decision Notice.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 22/02796/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

In response to a question from Councillor Daniel Allen, the Senior Planning Officer advised access to the retail units would be via the three service doors at the rear of the site, and this is where deliveries would be made. There have been no concerns raised by Highways in terms of deliveries to this area.

The Chair invited Dr Georgina Porter and Mr Toby Shelley to speak against the item.

Mr Shelley thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including:

·         They did not object to the proposals in principle and support a number of the proposals but believe there are two planning issues which need addressing.

·         The first was drainage and this area was already prone to flooding, with Walsworth Road flooded every time it rains and the railway bridge is almost continually flooded during heavy rain.

·         There was a recent example where drain covers were popping out due to volume of water in one street nearby.

·         Due to climate change, rain is becoming more sporadic and more intense.

·         The sewage system in the area is ancient and it is clear that neither the issue of ground water or sewage had been resolved by the relevant agencies. Given the talks had been ongoing for over a year, it demonstrated the complexities of the issues involved.

·         The issue of drainage should be addressed and should show that it is durable, with clear responsibility allocated for when issues occur.

·         They request deferral of the application until the drainage issue can be resolved.

Dr Porter thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including:

·         There was a mains leak in Walsworth Road recently, with traffic control measures put in place to conduct repair works, and this had a huge impact on traffic. This is a key road in the town and wider district, and is the main access to the train station.

·         They had objected to the original plans due to their overbearing on neighbours. There have been some changes to the plan and there is no longer a fourth storey, but the roof height has not been reduced and the steep pitch is to remain.

·         The social housing behind the site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39