Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 19/01448/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and the extension of the statutory period if required, as well as the reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the following amendments to Conditions 7 and 18, and an additional Condition 41, to read:

“Condition 7

“No works or development (including any pre-construction, demolition or enabling works) shall commence until a Construction Management Plan/construction phasing and environmental management programme has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, including elements of the CLOCS standards as set out in the Highway Authority's Construction Management template. Thereafter the construction of the development shall only be carried out in accordance with the approved Plan/Programme unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority: The Construction Management Plan/construction phasing and environmental management programme shall include details of:

·         Construction vehicle numbers, type, routing.

·         Access arrangements to the site.

·         Traffic management requirements.

·         Construction and storage compounds (including areas designated for car parking, loading /unloading and turning areas).

·         Siting and details of wheel washing facilities (for construction vehicles leaving the site).

·         Cleaning of site entrances, site tracks and the adjacent public highway.

·         Timing of construction activities/hours of construction operations (including delivery times and removal of waste) and to avoid school pick up/drop off times.

·         Provision of sufficient on-site parking prior to commencement of construction activities.

·         Site set up and general arrangements for storing plant including cranes, materials, machinery and equipment, temporary offices and other facilities, construction vehicle parking and loading/unloading and vehicle turning areas.

·         Where works cannot be contained wholly within the site a plan should be submitted showing the site layout on the highway including extent of hoarding, pedestrian routes, and remaining road width for vehicle movements.

·         Phasing Plans.

·         Measures to minimise dust, noise, machinery and traffic noise impacts during construction.

·         The location of construction traffic routes to and from the site, details of their signing, monitoring and enforcement measures.

·         Screening and hoarding details, to protect neighbouring residents.

·         End of day tidying procedures to ensure protection of the site outside the hours of construction. The construction activities shall be designed and undertaken in accordance with the code of best practice set out in British Standard 5228 1997 and with the agreed details unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

·         Storage and removal of building waste for disposal or recycling.

·         Post construction restoration/reinstatement of the working areas and temporary access to the public highway.

·         Ecological method statements to incorporate: MM1 – General Construction Safeguards, MM2 – Hedgerow and Tree Protection, MM7– Badger Construction Safeguard, MM9-Precautionary Habitat Clearance Measures and MM10 -Timing of Works from the Ecological Appraisal April 2019 by Aspect Ecology

Reason: In order to protect highway safety and the amenity of other users of the public highway and rights of way in accordance with Policies 5, 12, 17 and 22 of Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018) and to ensure the correct  ...  view the full decision text for item 46

Audio recording – 78 minutes 08 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer provided the following updates:

·         Herts Ecology had raised concerns of the ability to meet 10% biodiversity net gain and the applicant had been requested to provide further information. This information had now been received and Herts Ecology had confirmed that they believe this can be achieved within the site boundary.

·         The proposed section 106 clause in the event 10% biodiversity net gain cannot be achieved on site can be removed.

·         Herts Ecology had proposed two further conditions, and these were incorporated into Conditions 7 and 18 and the pre-commencement Condition 7 had been agreed with the applicant.

·         An update to the section 106 obligations table was provided, advising that they youth contribution would go to a facility in Hitchin, not Welwyn as written in the report.

·         The section 106 monitoring fees had been updated.

·         Condition 21.e should refer to drawing no. ‘6729.MOS PP.4.0 Rev C’.

·         One further representation had been made from a local resident following the publication of the report and this was available on the Council website.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 19/01448/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor David Levett

·         Councillor Nigel Mason

·         Councillor Michael Muir

·         Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised:

·         The Car Club Scheme was felt to be more enforceable as a section 106 clause and had previously been included on the Heath Lane proposals.

·         The attenuation pond was included within the red line of the site and it would be a basin in the land in case of excess water, but it was expected to be mostly empty. This was part of the sustainable urban drainage features.

·         The application was submitted with a Transport Statement which concluded that the development would not have a significant adverse impact on the operation of the highway networks in the vicinity of the site or on road safety.

·         Without an objection from the Highways Authority, it would not be recommended to refuse on these grounds.

The Chair invited Councillor Ralph Muncer to speak as Member Advocate against the application, in place of the ward member Councillor Ian Moody. Councillor Muncer thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including:

·         Of the four Codicote sites in the Local Plan, the residents view this site as the most appropriate, but that did not mean they did not have concerns.

·         It was important for the Council and the developer to work together to find outcomes beneficial for residents.

·         The site sits at the end of a national speed limit zone and whilst an alternative is being worked on, not formal consideration to this had been given.

·         The site is also located opposite a known dangerous junction.

·         The traffic on the road is already bad and this is made worse when the A1(M) is closed, forcing traffic through Codicote. Suitable signage and road  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46