Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are required to notify any substitutions by midday on the day of the meeting.

Late substitutions will not be accepted and Members attending as a substitute without having given the due notice will not be able to take part in the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence received.

Audio recording – 1 minute 16 seconds

There were no apologies for absence received.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on the 11 December and 18 December 2025.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meetings of the Committee held on 11 December and 18 December 2025 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Audio Recording – 1 minute 28 seconds

Councillor Nigel Mason proposed to approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 11 December and 18 December 2025 and Councillor Emma Fernandes seconded.

Councillor Ruth Brown noted that she and Councillor Caroline McDonnell were not in attendance at the 18 December meeting as the item under consideration was a deferred item and therefore they could not take part in the debate or vote on that item.

Having been proposed and seconded, and following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meetings of the Committee held on 11 December and 18 December 2025 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Members should notify the Chair 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 Chair will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 46 seconds

There was no other business notified.

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 Chair 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.

(1)   The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.

(2)   The Chair 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.

(3)   The Chair clarified matters for the registered speakers.

(4)   The Chair confirmed the procedure for moving to debate on an item.

(5)   The Chair advised that Section 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution applied to the meeting.

(6)   The Chair confirmed the cut off procedure should the meeting proceed at length.

(7)   The Chair advised of a change to the order of the Agenda and that Agenda Item 10 would be taken before Agenda Item 8.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 51 seconds

(1)   The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.

(2)   The Chair 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.

(3)   The Chair clarified matters for the registered speakers.

(4)   The Chair confirmed the procedure for moving to debate on an item.

(5)   The Chair advised that Section 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution applied to the meeting.

(6)   The Chair confirmed the cut off procedure should the meeting proceed at length.

(7)   The Chair advised of a change to the order of the Agenda and that Agenda Item 10 would be taken before Agenda Item 8.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance.

Audio recording – 6 minutes 26 seconds

The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance.

RESOLVED: That application 25/02115/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with additional Conditions 10 to 13 as follows:

‘Condition 10

No development shall take place, including any works of demolition, until a Construction Method Statement has been submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The statement shall provide for:

a)    the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors.

b)    loading and unloading of plant and materials.

c)     storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development.

d)    the hours of construction works.

e)    wheel washing facilities.

f)      measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during construction.

The approved construction Method Statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period for the development.

Reason: In the interests of the amenities of the area and in accordance with Policy D3 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011 to 2031.

Condition 11

Prior to the installation of external lighting, full details including height, hours of operation, design, location of lighting, intensity and shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The lighting scheme shall preclude the inclusion of motion sensors. The lighting installation shall then be carried out in accordance with the approved details and retained as such thereafter.

Reason: In the interests of the appearance of the locality within the countryside and protection of neighbour amenity in accordance with Policies NE4 and D3 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011 to 2031.

Condition 12

Notwithstanding details of proposed boundary treatment in the submitted landscaping scheme (Drawing No. 164 LD 01) prior to occupation of the development hereby permitted details of the height of proposed boundary treatment shall be submitted to and approved in witing by the local planning authority, and  the boundary wall with Kirby Manor farmhouse  will be no less than 2.5metres measured from the highest point along the boundary within the neighbouring property and constructed in Arlesey White bricks. The boundary treatment shall be completed in accordance with the approved details before the buildings are occupied.

Reason: To safeguard and enhance the appearance of the development and the amenity of the locality and to comply with policies D1 and D3 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011 to 2031.

Condition 13

Notwithstanding the details in the submitted drawings, the development shall not include red external render. 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 any works above ground level are commenced. The approved details shall be implemented on site and thereafter retained.

Reason: To ensure that the development will have an acceptable appearance which better reflects and does not detract from the appearance and character of the surrounding area and to comply with Policy D1 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011 to 2031.’

Audio recording – 6 minutes 40 seconds

The Planning Officer advised that all updates had been provided in the Supplementary Document published.

The Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 25/02115/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Val Bryant

In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that:

·       Curtilage referred to the area around a dwelling, including gardens and parking areas.

·       Under the Class Q permitted development rights, the impact on neighbouring amenity could not be considered.

·       Highways had objected to this application and had provided the previous objection to the Class Q permission. However, under Class Q permission, an objection under sustainability was not acceptable.

·       The application being considered regarding plans, elevations and materials was the same as approved under the Class Q application.

In response to questions, the Development and Conservation Manager advised that:

·       Under Class Q development, the extent of the curtilage was restricted to the total floorspace of the dwelling. Therefore, often properties end up with small gardens to serve the dwelling.

·       Consequently, it was common for residents to seek planning permission to extend their garden.

·       It was possible that this application had been submitted so these dwellings could be marketed with larger gardens.

·       Extant permission was already in place for 8 dwellings, and there was 2 years remaining on this permission. The application tonight should be compared against what had already been approved, as this would be the fallback position.

·       Recent legislation changes have meant that more prior approval could be sought for more dwellings within a scheme and also enlargement of buildings could take place under Class Q permitted development rights.

·       The only changes from the existing permission were the garden and parking arrangements, all other aspects were as approved under Class Q permission.

·       The minor extension to plot 4 had been approved in the Class Q application.

·       There were material aspects which could be considered under this application but would need to compare the proposal with the fallback position.

·       If this was an application for construction of new dwellings, it was likely Officers would have recommended refusal of permission.

·       In terms of location, a proposal under Class Q could only be refused where a building was in an isolated location and there unviable to carry out necessary works. However, this site was on an existing highway.

·       The proposal was to use existing bricks, some of which appeared to be in a bad condition and would therefore benefit from rendering. There were no proposals to demolish existing buildings.

·       He would not be able to provide comment on why the previous Class Q permission was granted, but it was approved and was now the fallback position.

The Chair invited the first Public Objector, Parish Councillor Norton Mahy to speak against the application. Parish Councillor Mahy thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

To update Members on appeals lodged and any decisions made.

The Development and Conservation Manager provided an update on Planning Appeals.

Audio recording – 1 hour 37 minutes 22 seconds

The Development and Conservation Manager provided an update on Planning Appeals and advised that:

·       One appeal had been dismissed relating to a first floor rear extension.

·       There was an error on the table and the appeal related to The Old School House in Royston, not a property in Letchworth.

INFORMATION NOTE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

To provide Members with an update of planning enforcement activity in 2025.

The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Annual Report 2025 – Part 1’.

Audio recording – 2 hours 19 minutes 24 seconds

The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Annual Report 2025 – Part 1’ and advised that:

·       The Information Note was provided for Members to note.

·       An Enforcement Notice had been issued to a site in Breachwood Green relating to a car parking area and hardstanding.

·       An Enforcement Notice had been issued to The George in Baldock relating to unauthorised change of use.

·       An Enforcement Notice had been issued to 4c Sun Street in Hitchin relating to alterations to a building within the Conservation Area.

To consider passing the following resolution: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the following report will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

Audio recording – 1 hour 38 minutes 40 seconds

Councillor Nigel Mason proposed and Councillor Ian Mantle seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

INFORMATION NOTE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

To provide Members with an update of planning enforcement activity in 2025.

The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Annual Report 2025 – Part 2’.

N.B. This item was considered in private session and therefore no audio recording is available.

The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Annual Report 2025 – Part 2’ accompanied by a visual presentation.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Ruth Brown

·         Councillor Clare Billing

·         Councillor Martin Prescott

·         Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to questions, the Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader advised that:

·         The Inspectors site visit in Reed would take place week commenting 26 January 2026 and would cover all aspects of issues raised in one visit.

·         If cases were logged through the Councillor Portal, there was no need to complete a proforma. In some cases, details may be missing from the report through the Councillor Portal and therefore more information may be requested to assist with making a prompt decision on the matter.

·         A single report would be preferred to multiple reports, as this would cut down the time taken to process reports.

·         With Listed Buildings in disrepair, there would be an attempt to deal with the landowner. There were some limited grants available from Historic England to support renovation works, but in some cases it was not financially viable to complete required works.

·         Where reports are made of driving over footpaths, this should be reported to the North Herts Council Enforcement Team. They would liaise with County Council Highways Team on the issue and look to work together to resolve.