Issue - meetings
25/01790/FP Land Known As The Orchard, Snailswell Lane, Ickleford, Hertfordshire, SG5 3TS
Meeting: 12/02/2026 - Planning Control Committee (Item 127)
127 25/01790/FP LAND KNOWN AS THE ORCHARD, SNAILSWELL LANE, ICKLEFORD, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG5 3TS 
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REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
MANAGER
Erection of one self-build dwelling including hard and soft
landscaping, parking and creation of vehicular crossover off
Snailswell Lane
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That application 25/01790/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with additional Conditions 15 and 16 as follows:
‘Condition 15
Construction shall not begin until a detailed surface water drainage scheme for the site has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The surface water drainage scheme must prioritise the use of source control Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in consideration of the Non-Statutory Technical Standards for SuDS and demonstrate no increase in flood risk as a result of the Proposed Development with sufficient supporting evidence provided to support its viability including supporting calculations for the 100% AEP (1 in 1 year), 3.33% AEP (1 in 30 year), 3.33% AEP (1 in 30 year) plus climate change, the 1% AEP (1 in 100 year) and the 1% AEP (1 in 100) plus climate change critical storms. Infiltration testing shall be carried out to inform the detailed drainage design; if infiltration is not viable, a detailed drainage strategy based on discharging to the ordinary watercourse south of Snailswell Lane at the greenfield runoff rate shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall subsequently be implemented in accordance with the approved details before the development is completed.
Reason: To ensure the flood risk is adequately addressed and not increased in accordance with NPPF and Policies of North Hertfordshire District Council.
Condition 16
In the event that contamination is found at any time when carrying out the approved development, it shall be reported in writing immediately to the Local Planning Authority. An investigation and risk assessment shall then be undertaken by a competent person, in accordance with BS10175:2011. A written report of the findings should be forwarded for approval to the Local Planning Authority. Following completion of remedial measures a verification report shall be prepared that demonstrates the effectiveness of the remediation carried out. No part of the development should be occupied until all remedial and validation works are approved in writing.
Reason: To protect human health and to ensure that no future investigation is required under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.’
Minutes:
Audio recording – 1 hour 30 minutes 24 seconds
The Planning Officer provided a verbal update on matters relating to application 25/01790/FP and advised that:
· A response had been received from the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and an additional condition had been proposed, as outlined in the supplementary document.
· Herts Archaeology had made representation and advised that they had no comments to make.
· An additional Condition 16 had been proposed by Environmental Health relating to actions to be taken if contamination is identified during works.
· There was a discrepancy identified on the mapping system, which had the neighbouring property labelled in the wrong position and with the incorrect spelling. However, the submitted plans were correct.
The Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of application 25/01790/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Val Bryant
· Councillor Martin Prescott
· Councillor Jon Clayden
In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that:
· A BOAT was a ‘byway open to all traffic’ and was the responsibility of Herts County Council Right of Way, rather than Highways.
· The site was originally considered as not being inappropriate development in the greenbelt, but it was subsequently assessed to comprise development on greybelt land, as described in the submitted planning statement. Officers agreed with this assessment and there were no strong reasons for refusal of the application.
· The site was considered as limited infill within an existing village.
· As a greybelt assessment had been made alongside the infill consideration, it was prudent to assess both aspects.
In response to questions, the Principal Planning Officer advised that:
· The BOAT would be maintained by Herts County Council as the relevant authority.
· Whilst the wider parcel of land to the north would be considered greenbelt, the site was considered as greybelt as it did not move the boundary further north than already existing properties.
The Chair invited the first Public Objector, Mr Phillip Laws to speak against the application. Mr Laws thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· There were three main concerns with this application, these were the highways issues, the character of the development and the loss of landscape.
· The site would be accessed by a BOAT, which was essentially a rural track, not up to the standard of normal highways.
· The proposal is to encourage sustainable transport, but cycling to the site was extremely challenging.
· The room sizes on the plans would suggest a fourth bedroom could be created, which would further increase traffic movements and the BOAT was not safe or suitable for access.
· The lane was rural in nature and allowing this infill would suburbanise the character of the lane and would establish a principle of development.
· An apple tree on the site had already been removed and this loss of landscape was contrary to polices of the Local Plan.
The Chair thanked Mr Laws for their presentation and invited the second ... view the full minutes text for item 127