Issue - meetings
25/03153/FP Land To The East Of 2, West Lane, Pirton, Hertfordshire, SG5 3RA
Meeting: 18/06/2026 - Planning Control Committee (Item 16)
16 25/03153/FP LAND TO THE EAST OF 2, WEST LANE, PIRTON, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG5 3RA 
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REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
Extension of existing hardstanding new concrete pad for sitting of
caravan (development already carried out). Installation of
permeable driveway (development has commenced). Creation of
vehicular access off West Lane.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That application 25/03153/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 47 minutes 36 seconds
N.B. At the start of this item, having previously declared an interest as Member Advocate objector, Councillor Claire Strong moved to the public speaking gallery.
The Principal Planning Officer advised there were no updates to the report, however clarified for Members that the application was for the retention of the existing hardstanding area, the gravel laid on site and proposed work for landscaping. The use of the site for a mobile home was not for consideration with this application.
The Principal Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 25/03153/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
In response to questions from Councillor Tom Tyson, the Principal Planning Officer advised that:
· A landscaping condition had been proposed and details of that, including hedge heights, would need to be agreed with the Applicant.
· It would be difficult to impose a minimum hedge height, as sapling would need to be planted and would take time to grow. It would therefore not be reasonable to apply a condition on this aspect.
· A condition could be included to impose a requirement to replace any trees which died within 5 years, but the size could not be conditioned.
The Chair invited the Member Advocate Objector, Councillor Claire Strong, to speak against the application. Councillor Strong thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· All previous applications for dwellings on this site had been refused. Previously a caravan had been positioned on the site, which was then provided a Certificate of Lawful Dwelling.
· The previously small caravan has been replaced with a larger static home and the site has been cleared of shrubs at the front and gravel has been installed, which did not appear compliant with standards required for highways.
· The site was outside of the village boundary and was situated between two larger properties, with views through to the fields beyond.
· The hardstanding footprint was excessive and now ran from the front of the site through to the caravan at the rear.
· There had been no continuous use of the caravan since the previous occupant died in the early 2000s.
· If this was an application for a new dwelling, then an EV charging point should be included as required by policy.
· The driveway appeared disproportionate to the site.
· The street scene had dramatically changed through the works already carried out on site and this application sought to regularise the actions which had already been done.
· The Parish Council, who were unable to register to speak at this meeting, did not feel this was appropriate for the village and had concerns over the Right of Way to the side of the site, the lighting situation on the site and over the proposed installation of a septic tank.
There were no points of clarification from Members.
The Chair thanked Councillor Strong for their presentation and invited the agent to the Applicant, Mr Tony White, ... view the full minutes text for item 16