Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Erection of two 2-bed dwellings, three 3-bed dwelling and two four-bed dwellings, with associated access, landscaping and parking.

RESOLVED: That application 24/02214/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the removal of Condition 13, the renumbering of the remaining conditions, and the addition of Conditions 20 and 21, as follows:

‘Condition 20

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as amended no development as set out in Classes  B and C of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Order, (or any subsequent Statutory Instrument which revokes, amends and/or replaces those provisions) shall be carried out without first obtaining a specific planning permission from the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: Given the nature of this development, the Local Planning Authority considers that development which would normally be "permitted development" should be retained within planning control in the interests of the character and amenities of the area and to comply with Policy D1 and/or Policy D3 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011 to 2031.

Condition 21

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, the approved three pedestrian refuges and two vehicle passing bays shall be fully constructed in accordance with the approved details outlined in the Transport Statement (dated February 2025). Thereafter, the passing bays and pedestrian refuges shall be retained, maintained in a good state of repair, and kept free from obstruction at all times in perpetuity, to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the private road.

Reason: To ensure adequate access for vehicles and pedestrians and to maintain highway safety in accordance with Policy T1 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011 to 2031.’

Audio recording – 7 minutes 10 seconds

N.B. Cllr Tom Tyson declared an interest in this item due to being the Member Advocate Objector and moved to the Public Gallery.

The Senior Planning Officer provided a verbal update on matters relating to Application 24/02214/FP and advised that:

·       The Highway Authority had thoroughly reviewed previous applications and have deemed this current application acceptable.

·       The objections from the Parish Council were that the changes in the new application did not address the concerns set out in their previous letter of objection.

The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 24/02214/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Louise Peace 

·       Councillor Clare Billing

·       Councillor Ian Mantle

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

·       It would be possible to add a condition to prevent development into the roof spaces without further planning permission.

·       The Waste team had been consulted and were content with the access waste vehicles would have to properties.

·       Details on the bin storage facilities to be provided were covered by Condition 16, including the arrangements for the mid-terrace dwelling.

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

·       The position of the Highways authority was neither to approve or refuse the application, but their lack of position did not mean that there was no impact on residents.

·       Green Lane was private with no public access which meant Highways were not a statutory consultee on this application.

·       Green Lane was previously at capacity for vehicles and this would become a severe issue with further development.

·       Despite this being a different site, access was still a key consideration with this application.

·       Previous applications were rejected and nothing was changed.

The Chair thanked Mr Rogers and invited Ms Jill Powell to speak against this application. Ms Powell thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       The applicant was aware of objection letters but had not addressed these.

·       She had lived on Green Lane since 1956, and for the last 10 years had worried about traffic between houses 3, 5 and 7.

·       This development was unsustainable.

·       Increased traffic would create an unusable road.

·       Residents walk into the village and with an increase in traffic, there were concerns about safety.

·       Online shopping had increased, and delivery vehicles travel fast creating an additional hazard.

·       The proposals would create an issue for access for emergency vehicles. Even as amended, the bottle neck created was unworkable for residents.

The Chair thanked Ms Powell and invited Mr Mathew lee to speak against this application. Mr Lee thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       This is the third time that a planning application has been proposed on this lane, the last two were refused.

·       As  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6