Issue - meetings
23/00555/FP LAND ON THE SOUTH OF OUGHTONHEAD LANE, HITCHIN, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG5 2NA
Meeting: 27/07/2023 - Planning Control Committee (Item 100)
100 23/00555/FP LAND ON THE SOUTH OF OUGHTONHEAD LANE, HITCHIN, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG5 2NA 
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REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
Creation of access from Lower Innings to Land South of Oughtonhead Lane
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That application 23/00555/FP be GRANTED planning permission due to the reasons outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 3:26
The Senior Planning Officer gave a verbal update and advised:
· Members had received a map which showed the wider context of the application.
· For the purposes of clarification, paragraph 4.31 was reference to the development of the proposed access.
The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 23/00555/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.
In response to the question from Councillor Daniel Allen, the Senior Planning Officer advised that the map on slide 7 of the presentation showed vehicles leaving the site on the left and vehicles entering the site on the right.
The Chair invited Hugh Love to speak in objection of the application. Mr Love thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:
· The only communication that the applicant had with residents of Lower Innings was a letter in 2021 which asked for comments online on the proposed development.
· The map given to residents showed that there were no crossings on Oughtonhead Lane.
· At the time, the applicant advised that the access to the site would be via Bowlers End. The access had since changed, and the original access point was deemed unviable due to the way cars were parked.
· Section 3.1 of the document pack advised that the access via Lower Innings was most suitable but was not in the original proposals.
· The Lower Innings access involved Bedford Road and Redhill Road, which was a busy interchange with cars parked on both sides. This caused several pinch points and congestion on the road.
· Section 4.3.20 of the document pack stated that the Planning Officer accepted that there would be increased traffic in the vicinity but not unusually high in a residential area. This increase would be caused by construction and through traffic.
· The noise assessment of the area advised that the noise levels of the proposed development would be excessive.
· The Planning and Public Rights of Way Officers had advised that Oughtonhead Lane was a restricted by way used for walking, cycling and horse-riding. It was also the main access from Hitchin town centre to Oughtonhead Common.
· Section 6.1.5 stated that the surface of Oughtonhead Lane must be protected, but the proposed access would damage it.
In response to a point of clarification from Councillor Sean Nolan regarding the noise assessment, Mr Love advised that the expert advised that noise was likely to be excessive and exceed normal limits.
The Chair invited Councillor Nigel Mason to speak in objection as Ward Member of Hitchin Oughton. Councillor Mason thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:
· Access via Oughtonhead Lane was the third attempt to address access to the proposed development. Past potential accesses were via Oughtonhead Way, Lavender Way, Bowler’s End and Westbury Close.
· Parked vehicles made the road single lane most of the time. There were junctions near each other, which made the bridleway busy.
· Redhill Road was already a busy road with speeding issues and vehicles parked on both sides. Shops and ... view the full minutes text for item 100