Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Change of use from care home (use class C2) to supported hostel accommodation (sui generis) and provision of additional car parking, refuse/recycling store and cycle storage. Erection of single storey store (as amended by plan nos. 1300-S2-P04, 1350-S2-P03 (002), 1181-S2-P06 and CCTV layout plans received 13.11.2024).

RESOLVED: That application 24/02173/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager subject to:

(a)   The receipt of formal comments from the NHS Herts and West Essex Integrated Care team within the statutory consultation period.

(b)   The Committee to delegate authority to the Development and Conservation Manager in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Committee to resolve any issue arising from the consultation response from the NHS.

(c)   Subject to the addition of Condition 12 (as outlined in the Supplementary Document) and the addition of Condition 13.  

“Condition 12

Prior to the commencement of the use hereby permitted full details of a resident nominations agreement for Andersons House to include the role of North Hertfordshire District Council as local housing authority, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be implemented in perpetuity in accordance with the approved nominations scheme unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the development meets a local housing need and to comply with paragraph 60, Section 5 of the National Planning Policy Framework. (2023).

Condition 13:

Prior to the commencement of the use hereby permitted details of an enhanced boundary treatment scheme along the southern boundary, to include a minimum fence height of 2 metres, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of adjacent residents and to comply with Policy D3 of the North Herts Local Plan.”

Audio recording – 51 minutes 59 seconds

N.B. Councillor Val Bryant moved to the public speaking gallery at the start of this item to act as an Objector Member Advocate.

The Senior Planning Officer provided an update regarding the Supplementary Document that had been published on 2 December 2024.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 24/02173/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Sean Nolan

·       Councillor Jon Clayden

·       Councillor Louise Peace

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:

·       The NHS had been consulted following concerns raised by residents during the consultation process on the impact of the local infrastructure.

·       This application was for an existing building which made it easier to develop than some of the other similar planning applications in the district.

·       The allocation of parking spaces was deemed sufficient as the majority of the spaces would be used by staff and visitors as many of the clients would not own cars.

·       The height of the mature hedge along the southern boundary varied in height and was not at a consistent height of 1.8 meters.

In response to a question, the Strategic Housing Manager advised that the figures for housing demand could be found in the report and although the Council had several layers of requirements for housing in the district, demand always exceeded supply.

The Chair invited Neil Dodds to speak against the application. Mr Dodds thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       This was a change of use for Anderson House to provide sheltered accommodation to 86 homeless people, who would have complex needs.

·       Hitchin Forum had objected to the scale of this application as it was inappropriate in a quiet residential street.

·       This application neglected the safety and wellbeing of the neighbours.

·       The police had been informed of this scheme and seemed satisfied, but he had not seen any report.

·       This scheme had advanced quickly with One YMCA stating in August that they had agreed to obtain Anderson House.

·       Anderson House would be more suitable if used for affordable housing in the district.

There were no points of clarification from Members.

The Chair thanked Mr Dodds for his presentation and invited Heather Cotton to speak against the application. Ms Cotton thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       She was a neighbour to Anderson House and lived there with her family.

·       There was much diversity in the area and young families and single people felt safe.

·       She had supported the Sanctuary development with 23 units which was of the right size for the area.

·       The size and scale of the proposal for Anderson House was disproportionate for the area and went against policy DS23 in the Local Plan.

·       Security inside Anderson House may be secure, but this would not ensure the safety to residents outside in the local area.

·       There was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

To update Members on appeals lodged and any decisions made.

The Development and Conservation Manager provided an update on Planning Appeals.

Audio recording – 1 hour 51 minutes 51 seconds

The Development and Conservation Manager provided an update on Planning Appeals and advised that there had been one appeal for a dwelling in Hitchin which had been dismissed.