Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 89 KBVenue: Council Chamber, District Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City
Contact: Committee Services (01462) 474655 Email: committee.services@north-herts.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Decision: Apologies for absence was received from Councillor Val Shanley.
Having given due notice Councillor Michael Muir advised that he would be substituting for Councillor Shanley. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 9 Seconds
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Val Shanley.
Having given due notice Councillor Michael Muir advised that he would be substituting for Councillor Shanley. |
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MINUTES - 19 SEPTEMBER 2019 To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 19 September 2019. Decision: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Control Committee held on 19 September 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 15 Seconds
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 19 September 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
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MINUTES - 17 OCTOBER 2019 To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 17 October 2019. Decision: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Control Committee held on 17 October 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 27 Seconds
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 17 October 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
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NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS Members should notify the Chairman of other business which they wish to be discussed at the end of either Part I or Part II business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.
The Chairman will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered. Decision: There was no other business notified. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 35 Seconds
There was no other business notified. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest, wishing to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote. Decision: (1) The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;
(2) The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;
(3) The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 43 Seconds
(1) The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;
(2) The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;
(3) The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question. |
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public. Decision: The Chairman confirmed that the 4 registered speakers were in attendance. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 2 Minutes 19 Seconds
The Chairman confirmed that the 4 registered speakers were in attendance. |
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19/00950/FP BLACKETT ORD COURT, STAMFORD AVENUE, ROYSTON, HERTFORDSHIRE SG8 7EB REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
That application 19/00950/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons contained in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, and:
· The correction at paragraph 4.2.5 – parking space ratio should read 0.7.
· At the end of paragraph 4.3.7 the following to be added:
Block A would introduce 3 storey development into the partial rear aspect of No 41 Mill Road. However, this would be an addition to the existing three storey block but with a much lower roof and a significantly lesser mass. Furthermore, the building would be set off the boundary by some 12 metres from No 41 and largely opposite the flank of this property with intervening trees remaining. The occupier of No 41 had objected to the development for other reasons but concluded that the new buildings themselves would not impact unduly on their living conditions. I agree with this assessment.
Add Noise Informative as follows:
Construction Noise
During the construction phase the guidance in BS5228-1:2009, (Code of Practice for noise control on construction and open sites) should be adhered to.
During the construction phase no activities should take place outside the following hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00hrs; Saturdays 08:00-13:00hrs and Sundays and Bank Holidays: no work at any time.
Condition 15 be amended to read:
The approved scheme shall incorporate at least 2 rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) ready domestic charging points as well as charging facilities for personal battery powered transport such as mobility scooters and cycles. These will be available prior to first occupation.
Reason: To contribute to the objective of providing a sustainable transport network and to provide the necessary infrastructure to help off-set the adverse impact of the operational phase of the development on local air quality.
Condition 21 be amended to read:
Residents cycle parking: Prior to first occupation of the development hereby approved the details of the type, design of twelve cycle parking spaces as well as facilities for personal battery powered transport shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the Highway Authority. Residents cycle parking should be in the form of lit, lockable and weather resistant cycle lockers or stores and be sited away from bin stores. Cycle parking and other facilities shall be fully completed to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority and the Highway Authority before first occupation of the new development.
Reason: To ensure the provision in line with the Council's adopted standards contained in Policy 1 and 5 of the Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan 4 and in accordance with the North Hertfordshire's parking standards and the NPPF as it relates to the promotion of sustainable transport.
Add a new Condition 26 to read:
Details and/or samples of materials to be used on all external elevations and the roof of the development hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before the development is commenced and the approved details shall be implemented on site.
Reason: To ensure ... view the full decision text for item 69. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 2 Minutes 30 Seconds
Extension to an existing sheltered housing/retirement apartment block and construction of a new sheltered housing/retirement apartment block to provide a total of 17 number new apartments.
The Principal Planning Officer provided the following updates to the report:
• Correction at Paragraph 4.2.5 – parking space ratio should be 0.7.
• At the end of Paragraph 4.3.7 add:
“Block A would introduce 3 storey development into the partial rear aspect of No 41 Mill Road. However, this would be an addition to the existing three storey block but with a much lower roof and a significantly lesser mass. Furthermore, the building would be set off the boundary by some 12 metres from No 41 and largely opposite the flank of this property with intervening trees remaining. The occupier of No 41 had objected to the development for other reasons but concluded that the new buildings themselves would not impact unduly on their living conditions. I agree with this assessment”
• Add Noise Informative as follows:
Construction Noise
During the construction phase the guidance in BS5228-1:2009 (Code of Practice for noise Control on construction and open sites) should be adhered to.
During the construction phase no activities should take place outside the following hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00hrs; Saturdays 08:00-13:00hrs and Sundays and Bank Holidays: no work at any time.
The Principal Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 19/00950/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.
Councillor Jean Green who had called the application in, was unable to attend the Planning Control Committee meeting that evening, but had provided the Committee with a written statement in objection to application 19/00950/FP which was read out by the Principal Planning Officer and the following points were highlighted:
· Allocation of 26 car parking spaces to service 39 apartments was insufficient; · The report stated that there was “off road” parking facilities within a 2 minute walk from the proposed development, however neither Royston Town Hall car park or The Station car park could be realistically reached by walking in the stated time, it would take much longer; · The site area was already being considered under a parking review by North Hertfordshire District Council owing to congestion; and · The suggested height of the proposed Block A would be obtrusive to the Victorian Cottages opposite.
Mr Geoff Reynolds, Housing 21, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee in support of application 19/00950/FP and informed as follows:
· A non-profit positive alternative to residential care; · Provision of 39 Apartments, (18 x 2 beds and 21 1 x bed); · The properties would provide specialist accommodation in self-contained properties; · A manager would be in situ to provide advice and support to residents and be pro-active in organising community activity; and · Affordable Housing provision, (21 x apartments and 18 x shared ownership. The scheme was part of Housing 21’s Shared Ownership and Affordable Housing Programme 2016-2021 and would contribute to Havant Council’s Housing ... view the full minutes text for item 69. |
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19/01748/FP RECREATION GROUND, SWINBOURNE AVENUE, HITCHIN, HERTFORDSHIRE REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
That application 19/01748/FP be DEFERRED planning permission for the following reasons:
· In respect of Condition 4 within the report – CCTV Monitoring - Members requested that they be provided with fuller, in-depth detail and specification with respect to the type of surveillance system proposed, hours of operation and monitoring, positioning and height;
· In respect of Condition 5 within the report – Members requested that they be provided with more detailed information and specification to include the type of lighting proposed, a programme of maintenance and operation, position and height; and
· Paragraph 3.2 within the report - In light of the concerns raised by the Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor, Members felt that they would be in a position to make an informed decision once they had been supplied with and were satisfied with the outcome of information with respect to CCTV and lighting. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Area including play equipment, bonded rubber mulch safety surfacing, site furniture, 1 metre high galvanised steel boundary fencing and access pathway from Swinburne Avenue.
The Principal Planning Officer updated Members of the Committee as follows:
· That he had circulated conditions within the report to the Crime Prevention Officer. The Crime Prevention Officer had responded, and advised that the conditions regarding the CCTV Cameras and lighting would help to mitigate concerns and would increase the formal surveillance of the sight. The officer had also advised that having checked records, no recent incidents had been reported in the proposed designated area.
The Principal Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 19/00950/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.
Ms Jacqueline McDonald thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to speak in objection to application 19/01748/FP, she explained that she, along with many residents from the Westmill Community were opposed to the proposed play area and drew the Members attention as follows:
· Locating a children’s play area in the Swinburne Playing Fields behind houses, without visibility from the majority of the Westmill houses had caused concern from both local residents and the Police; · Children’s safety and welfare – A children’s play area should be located and remain within the hub of the community to ensure both visibility and accessibility; · Owing to the out of sight proposed location of the park there would be a strong chance that it would be subject to antisocial behaviour and vandalism; · The proposed CCTV and large floodlights would have a negative visual and atmospheric impact which would be out of character with the natural environment; and · On 8 November 2019 a public meeting had been held at Westmill Community Centre whereby a vote had been taken, this had resulted in the large majority having voted against the proposal.
The following Members raised points and asked questions:
· Councillor Daniel Allen; · Councillor Ruth Brown; and · Councillor Michael Weeks.
Ms McDonald informed that:
· The playground was being moved as a result of the John Barker Place re-development.
In response to points raised, the Principal Planning Officer highlighted that Crime Prevention Design Advisor’s comments within the report were a concern, not an objection to the application.
Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb, Member Advocate, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Planning Committee and explained that he had called the item into the Committee in the wider public interest only, and was not making a recommendation. He further explained that he had taken legal advice but for complete transparency he wished to inform the Members of the Committee that whilst some of his family members had objected to the application, he did not have a Declarable Interest.
· Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb made the following points:
· Settle’s proposals to re-develop John Barker Place had been held up for a number of years, one factor was due to the need to find a suitable replacement location for a play area.
· Settle ... view the full minutes text for item 70. |
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REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: That the report entitled Planning Appeals be noted. Minutes: Audio Recording – Start of Item - 1 Hour 54 Minutes 33 Seconds
The Principal Planning Officer presented the Planning Appeals stating:
· There were two planning appeals; both of which were written representations. A decision on these would be made in due course; and
· The Barratt Scheme at the LS1 site had now been withdrawn from the enquiry and planning permission had been granted for an alternative scheme.
RESOLVED: That the report entitled Planning Appeals be noted. |
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