Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 22/00927/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 49 minutes 30 seconds

The Acting Development and Conservation Manager advised of the following updates:

·         There were two applications for this site but the updates would be provided for both, with votes taking place separately.

·         A group of objections had been received from nearby schools raising safeguarding concerns with regard to these applications.

·         An objection had been received from a neighbouring business.

·         A group of residents had submitted an objection.

·         A statement from the YMCA had been provided in support of the application.

·         A detailed response from the Police Liaison Officer had been received and it detailed that although anti-social behaviour had increased in the town from October 2019 to September 2022, this could not be attributed to 20 High Street.

·         Most issues raised in these late representations had been addressed within the report.

·         There were no safeguarding concerns raised by consultees.

·         There was no reference to the loss of commercial floorspace in the report, but this application is for a temporary change of use and therefore not relevant in this circumstance.

·         The Local Plan does contain provision for the support of homeless people.

The Acting Development and Conservation Manager presented the report in respect of application 22/00927/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The Chair invited Ms Karan Bugler to speak against the item.

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

·         The residents believe that the report is flawed and their objections had been submitted in response to this.

·         It is clear than only offences within the building itself have been referenced, when there are wider issues across the town.

·         A Freedom of Information request had been made, but a response had not yet been received. In the interim residents had compiled a list of incidents with Police Crime Reference Numbers, with 24 occurrences happening in a 3 month period over summer 2022 all involving residents of 20 High Street.

·         There was no police station in Baldock.

·         A stabbing had taken place in Stevenage recently and it had been confirmed that the perpetrator was resident at 20 High Street, Baldock.

·         The decision should be deferred to allow for time to receive an accurate police report.

·         In the report it is detailed by the Police Liaison Officer acknowledges that a high number of the residents are and will be drug users and suggested that this would increase the likeliness of drug dealers in the area.

·         The report proposes mitigations to protect residents, but not to protect the vulnerable residents in the community.

·         The proximity to local schools, and the position of the site along a key walkway to these, has not been considered in the report. Headteachers from the schools had provided a submission detailing safeguarding concerns.

·         Should the extension be granted, Baldock would have more beds to support homeless people than Stevenage, which was a bigger town. Baldock had limited employment opportunities and sporadic access to public transport and therefore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37