Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 24/01371/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, plus the standard Biodiversity Net Gain planning condition.

Audio recording – 5 minutes 54 seconds

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

The Senior Planning Officer notified Members that a letter from a member of the public in objection to the application had been received since the agenda pack had been circulated. A summary of the concerns of objectors was also read out. Members were finally advised that if the development was approved, it would be subject to the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain condition as mentioned in paragraph 4.3.5 of the report.

Following this, the Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 24/01371/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor Ruth Brown

·                Councillor Louise Peace

·                Councillor Ian Mantle

·                Councillor Nigel Mason

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

·                The Silver Birch tree which was currently at the centre of the site would be retained as per the outline landscape proposals.

·                It was unclear whether solar panels would be installed on every house in the development, however, if permission for the development was granted, it would be subject to condition 27 in the recommendation which would require a sustainability strategy to be submitted prior to the commencement of the development.

·                The applicant would have to purchase biodiversity credits from a land bank company to meet the national requirement of a 10% biodiversity net gain for the development. A certificate proving the purchase of the biodiversity credits would have to be submitted to the planning authority.

·                The first stage of the Road Safety Audit had already been carried out and the second and third stages would be undertaken. Issues such as on-street parking along The Causeway would be considered, along with measures like double-yellow lines.

·                Cars would not be allowed to park in the narrowest part of The Causeway where the proposed footpath would extend into the road.

·                The Road Safety Audit indicated that 2-3 vehicles might be displaced because of this, which could add to the on-street parking in nearby roads such as Peddlers Lane.  

·                The owners of the vehicles that were parked outside the proposed access point as shown in the photos accompanying the presentation were unknown, however, the photos were taken during school time.

The Chair invited Therfield Parish Councillor, Andy Osbourne, to speak against the application. They thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation. They advised that:

·                They were Chair of Therfield Parish Council.

·                The housing structure in Therfield was mostly low density and complemented by open green spaces, of which the land at Tussocks was one.

·                The Parish Council acknowledged that the application was within the village boundary.

·                They realised that the Hillcrest portion of the proposed site needed development.

·                No dialogue between the developer and the Parish Council had taken place since the Parish Council had requested for decreased housing density on the development.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123