Agenda, decisions and draft 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.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Tyler, Sean Nolan, Ian Moody and Phil Weeder.

Having given due notice Councillor Dave Winstanley substituted for Councillor Nolan and Councillor Michael Muir substituted for Councillor Ian Moody.

Audio recording – 1 minute 30 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Tyler, Sean Nolan, Ian Moody and Phil Weeder.

Having given due notice Councillor Dave Winstanley substituted for Councillor Nolan and Councillor Michael Muir substituted for Councillor Moody.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 23 January 2024.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 23 January 2024 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Audio Recording – 1 minute 59 seconds

Councillor Val Bryant proposed and Councillor Tom Tyson seconded and following a vote it was:

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 January 2024 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 – 2 minutes 45 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 advised that Section 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution applied to the meeting.

(5)   The Chair advised that item 6 21/00541/OP had been deferred until a future meeting due to unresolved outstanding matters in relation to S106 obligations. 

Audio recording – 2 minutes 48 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 advised that Section 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution applied to the meeting.

(5)  The Chair advised that item 6 21/00541/OPhad been deferred to a future meeting due to unresolved matters in relation to S106 obligations. 

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance.

Audio recording – 5 minutes 10 seconds

The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Residential development comprising of 15 dwellings (all matters reserved except means of access).

This item was deferred until a future meeting due to unresolved outstanding matters in relation to S106 obligations. 

Audio recording – 5 minutes 41 seconds

The Chair advised that this item was deferred to a future meeting due to unresolved matters in relation to S106 obligations.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Outline planning permission for the erection of 6 no. dwellings with access, parking and associated works (all matters reserved except for access)(as amended by plans received on 22 May 2023).

RESOLVED: That application 23/00523/OP be REFUSED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 6 minutes 3 seconds

The Planning Officer gave a verbal update and advised that a recent email received on 4 March regarding elements of public access had now been fully considered.  It was also noted that the document dated 21 December 2023 was originally not on the Council website, but had recently been added.

The Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 23/00523/OP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The Chair invited Mr Sandy Gordon to speak against the application.  Mr Gordon thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·                    The area was a heritage point of historical interest.

·                    The new houses, even though set back, would cause a loss of privacy due to all rooms being next to the road. There is slight privacy to the rear of the properties.

·                    His whole garden would be overlooked by property 1, which backs onto his house. The field is 1 metre higher than his property, imposing on the area.

·                    The gable end of the new house would cause loss of light, mostly around midday and early evening.

·                    The area was good for wildlife and recently more wildlife had been witnessed including badgers, deer, foxes, bees nests, frogs toads and newts.

·                    Many concerns had been raised about the smell from the adjacent poultry farm.

In response to a point of clarification from Councillor David Levett, Mr Gordon confirmed:

·                    His house was a Grade 2 listed building. 

·                    The odour from the poultry farm was strongest around 7 times per year when the area was fully cleared and the smell was worse on damp, rainy days, rather than in Summer.

The Chair thanked Mr Gordon for his presentation and invited Councillor Gerald Morris to speak against the application. Councillor Morris thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation including that:

·                     It was considered the site was unsuitable and not in the local plan.

·                    Recently the area had been cleared of natural planting leaving a superficial cover to remain.

·                    This development was not necessary for North Herts housing needs, and Planning Officers had also objected.

·                    Previous applications for the Ashmill Poultry Farm site had been refused for similar reasons. 

·                    There were concerns over the proximity of the Poultry Farm to local business, places of employment, and to where people will live.

The Chair thanked Councillor Morris for his presentation and invited Mr Shane Ahern, the applicant, to speak. Mr Ahern thanked the chair for the opportunity and provided the committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·                    The site in Barkway was currently scrubland and had been earmarked for development.

·                    The development would consist of six houses, including one affordable home for key workers only.

·                    The site plan had been designed with heritage as a consideration by an expert and had been submitted with a written air quality guidance.

·                    The adjacent poultry farm was cleared and cleaned seven times per year. The odour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Erection of 9 dwellings (3 x 2-bed, 4 x 3-bed and 2 x 4-bed) including parking, landscaping and installation of vehicular access off of Chambers Lane (as amended by plan nos. PL003D, PL009A, PL108A _ L01A received 02/01/2024).

RESOLVED: That application 22/02205/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 52 minutes 20 seconds

N.B Councillor Mick Debenham declared a personal interest and left the Council Chamber at 20:22

The Chair advised that Councillor Louise Peace was to speak as a Member Advocate against this item and would therefore move to the public gallery and not take part in the debate or vote.

N.B Councillor Louise Peace moved to the public gallery at 20:22.

The Senior Planning Officer provided an update that:

·                     The comments from the Conservation Officer comments were now on the website, confirming no detrimental impact on the character.

·                     The nearby public house had no impact on the property development.  There was sufficient separation from the site and the nearby farm, with scrub to the perimeter.

·                     The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) had raised no objections and as the application was now for fewer than 10 units, there was no obligation to consult the LLFA.

·                     The site plan had been amended on the 5 March 2024.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 22/02205/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked points of clarification:

·                     Councillor David Levitt

·                     Councillor Nigel Mason

·                     Councillor Dave Winstanley

·                     Councillor Daniel Allen

·                     Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to the points of clarification, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:

·                     In the past this site has had four appeals, all which have been dismissed.

·                     This development was no longer on Greenbelt land.

·                     This was the second recent development in Ickleford and there was concern about the infrastructure in a small village and whether this is at breaking point.

·                     Larger development sites were asked to look at the cumulative impact of the site.  This did not apply to this site, which was seen as a “windfall site”. 

·                     There was a transport assessment submitted with this application.

·                     Sustainable energy ground source heat pumps would be installed in properties.

·                     The site would generate traffic during peak hours.  However, Highways had confirmed they had no concerns.

·                     The side of the carriage way would be widened with a footpath.

·                     The adjacent burial ground was protected under planning law and provided no concern to the development.

The Chair invited Parish Councillor Ray Blake to speak against the application. Parish Councillor Blake thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the committee with a verbal presentation including that:

·                     Residents were proud of this green setting, together with the nearby Plume of Feathers public house and cottages.

·                     The Local Plan had been adopted and the site was not consistent with national policy and contains much flora and fauna.

·                     The cemetery is a peaceful setting which would be compromised.

·                     There was insufficient room for exits and entrances to the development. 

·                     The area contains many wildlife corridors and Chambers Lane itself was narrow in places. This would provide problems for emergency vehicles and on site HGV.

·                     The parking for the development was also considered insufficient.

·                     The sewage system in the area will find the addition of properties impossible.  The area already floods  ...  view the full minutes text for item 185.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Relocation of an existing stud wall between the kitchen and bathroom. Creation of a new doorway from the dining room to the bathroom. Replacement of the kitchen window.

RESOLVED: That application 23/02802/LBC be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 1 hour 54 minutes, 45 seconds

N.B – Councillor Debenham returned to the meeting and Councillor Peace returned from the public gallery.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 23/02802/LBC supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

There were no questions from members.

Councillor Tom Tyson proposed that the application be granted and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That application 23/02802/LBC be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.

Audio recording – 1 hour, 59 minutes, 45 seconds

The Development and Conservation Manager presented the report entitled ‘Planning Appeals’ and informed the Committee that a single storey appeal in Holwell had been dismissed.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.