Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Erection of self-build detached dwelling and associated external works to include pedestrian/vehicular access to the highway.

RESOLVED: That 25/00872/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the amendment to Condition 7, as follows:

‘Condition 7

All ecological measures and/or works shall be carried out in accordance with the details contained in the March 2025 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal as already submitted with the planning application, including integrated bird, bat and bee bricks and hedgehog boxes, and agreed with the local planning authority prior to commencement of the approved development, demonstrating that a biodiversity net gain can be achieved from those measures/works.

Reason: To ensure development is ecologically sensitive and secures biodiversity enhancements in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.  To comply with Policy NE4 of the Local Plan.’

Audio recording – 5 minutes 21 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer advised that there were no updated matters to report on since the publication of the agenda.

The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of application 25/00872/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor Clare Billing

·                Councillor Val Bryant

·                Councillor Louise Peace

·                Councillor Dave Winstanley

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

·                Trees within the site boundary were not covered by the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in the nearby area, however, the remaining trees in the south part of the site were proposed to be retained under a tree protection condition if permission was granted.

·                The Highways Authority had raised no objection to the proposed access.

·                Condition 7 within the report recommendations could be amended to include integrated bat, bird and bee bricks and hedgehog boxes as referenced by the Ecologist in their response to the application.

·                Trees located in the north-east corner of the site would also be covered by the proposed tree condition if permission was granted.

The Chair invited the Public Objector, Kimpton Parish Councillor Simon Davies to speak against the application. Councillor Davies thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following: 

·                The self-build dwelling would be located on a busy and dangerous road.

·                An appeal lodged against a decision to grant permission to a self-build dwelling on the adjoining site at number 51 Beech Way had been allowed and consequently, refused planning permission by the Secretary of State. 

·                Residents had contacted Kimpton Parish Council to express their concerns over the removal of trees on the site prior to development. 

·                The density of this application exceeded the density of the prevailing area in Kimpton Road, The Drive and Lime Avenue. 

·                This proposal appeared to be cramped given the size of the site, with limited amenity space compared to neighbouring properties.

·                Creeping urbanisation resulting from infill development elsewhere in Blackmore End threatened to change the character of the rural community.

·                Access was proposed to lead onto Kimpton Road where there were two adjacent bus stops and two busy road intersections.

·                A mirror at the end of The Drive helped with access onto Kimpton Road but this provided limited visibility.

·                Traffic analysis carried out by former Hertfordshire County Councillor Richard Thake in 2022 concluded that Kimpton Road suffered from excessive speeding. 

·                Kimpton Road suffered from frequent standing water problems due to ground water flooding.

·                The proposed access situated between two junctions onto a busy and poorly maintained stretch of road had the potential to interfere with local infrastructure and presented a danger to bus and vehicle users, as well as pedestrians due to the absence of a footpath.

·                They felt that this application and the application at 51 Beech Way had been treated unequally as the site sizes were similar before the removal of mature trees had taken place.

·                There was intention from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31