Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Erection of two storey linked office block

RESOLVED: That application 18/00338/FP be GRANTED planning permission, subject to the conditions and reasons contained in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager and the following additional conditions:

Condition 10

Prior to the commencement of any construction work on site, the site shall be inspected by an ecological consultant and any Roman snails found shall be relocated to another suitable site in accordance with the advice of the ecological consultant.

Reason: In the interests of Roman snails which are a protected species.

Condition 11

For construction of the new car parking spaces, the ground shall be hand dug and no mechanical digging shall take place within the canopy of any tree.

Reason: In the interest of retaining the existing trees.

Erection of two storey linked office block

The Senior Planning Officer advised that this was a proposal to extend an office building.

Paragraph 3.2 of the report mentioned the possibility of there being roman snails on the site. Hertfordshire Ecology had advised that the presence of these snails should not prevent development, although any snails should be relocated. An additional condition would be required regarding this.

A condition was also required to ensure protection of the tree roots stating that trenches would be hand dug and that there would be no mechanical digging at the site of the roots of the trees.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report of the Development and Conservation Manager in respect of planning application 18/00338/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of plans, drawings and photographs of the site.

The office building was surrounded by trees and one tree was required to be removed.

Materials would match with the existing building and would have a lot of sustainable and green features.

Mr Philip Wharton thanked the Vice-Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee in objection to planning application 18/00338/FP.

Mr Wharton, a local resident, advised Members that he lived in Gosmore Hill and was the nearest neighbour to the proposed development.

The site was originally a small two bedroomed building which had been replaced about 5 yeas ago and at that time Dermal had given assurances that they would not extend this building but would extend their Kempston building.

They were now looking to double the size of this building in a rural location for just 12 new jobs and they suggested that this was for the benefit of the area, yet 60 percent of staff lived outside of the area,

This development would reduce space for birds of prey, owls, bats etc.

It seemed excessive to double the size of the building for so few jobs.

There were colonies of Roman snails on the site yet no survey had been undertaken and the bat survey was out of date.

The previous owners of the site wanted to develop it but Dermal objected saying that it would damage the environment and affect wildlife.

They said that the lights in the building would be turned off at 6.30pm, this was extended to 8.30pm, but they actually remained on until 10.30 pm, with light clearly seen from the road.

If permission were to be granted there should be a condition that external and internal lighting be tuned off when no work is taking place in the building, that late night working should take place in the main building and that screening and hedging be sufficient to screen the buildings.

Members asked whether Mr Wharton accepted that the site was managed in an exemplary manner.

Mr Wharton advised that management of the site was not an issue as it was well managed with good employees. He was just concerned about the size of the building.

The Vice-Chairman thanked Mr Wharton for his presentation.

Mr Michael Yarrow,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19