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.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ruth Brown, Amy Allen, Ian Mantle and Sadie Billing.

Having given due notice Councillor Jon Clayden substituted for Councillor Brown, Councillor Val Bryant substituted for Councillor Allen and Councillor Mick Debenham substituted for Cllr Mantle.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 3 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ruth Brown, Amy Allen, Ian Mantle and Sadie Billing.

Having given due notice Councillor Jon Clayden substituted for Councillor Brown, Councillor Val Bryant substituted for Councillor Allen and Councillor Mick Debenham substituted for Cllr Mantle.

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 30 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.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 34 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.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance.

Audio recording – 5 minutes 14 seconds

The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Change of use of the Former Princess Helena College and associated land from a former all-girls boarding school to 69no. private residential dwellings (Use Class C3), including the conversion of the main Grade II* Listed House to 35no. new apartments, the conversion of the retained Teaching Block to provide 8 new apartments, the demolition of the existing sports hall building and science block and replacement with 20no. new houses and 2no. new apartments, the conversion of the Tank House and the Pump House buildings to provide 2no. detached dwellings and the erection of 2no. new dwellings located within the summerhouse plantation. The provision of cart lodges, creation of new car-park together with domestic storage units and covered parking bays to include solar PV panels, and waste storage units and the provision of new driveways and associated works. Erection of new sub-station building and plant room. In addition, the associated landscaping of the site including provision of new pathways and gates and the reinstatement of Grade II* Listed Parks and Gardens and the provision of a new cricket pitch, associated cricket pavilion and car parking and refurbished tennis courts (as amended by plans and supporting documents received November 2024).

RESOLVED: That application 24/01064/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager subject to:

(a)   The completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and the applicant agreeing to extend the statutory period in order to complete the agreement if required.

(b)   The Committee to delegate powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to resolve and amend matters as is appropriate and necessary.

(c)   The conditions and the additional section 106 agreement requirements and updated conditions as outlined in the original report and the Supplementary Document, including the addition of Condition 59.

“Condition 59

Permissive footpaths

Prior to the proposed new permissive path from the Dower House being first brought into use, details of alterations to existing boundary wall and gate where new access is proposed onto Hitchin Road shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Thereafter, the alterations and gate shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and be made available for pedestrian use in accordance with the phasing plan approved under condition 4.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to protect the setting and appearance of heritage assets.”

Audio recording – 5 minutes 48 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer provided an update regarding the Supplementary Document that had been published on 30 January 2025.

At the request of the Chair, the Senior Planning Officer presented the reports in respect of Application 24/01604/FP and 24/01605/LBC as one presentation, supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Jon Clayden

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

·       Councillor Louise Peace

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor Emma Fernandes

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:

·       Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers would be fitted in the car ports.

·       The roof of the sports hall would be fitted with solar tiles.

·       Freestanding bathroom ‘pods’ were designed to sit in the middle of a room to minimise interactions with the existing building and to ensure this remained protected.  

·       No information was yet available on the type of refuse bins to be provided.

·       Historic England had recommended to include a condition requiring a management company plan for the whole site be included. 

·       The footpaths would be for public use as part of the Section 106 agreement and would be secured by boundary fences, as cattle would graze in the open space.

·       The section 106 agreement would secure 75 year leases for both the Preston Cricket Club and the Parish Council to take on responsibility for the sporting facilities and the Council would not be directly involved in the management of the facilities in the long term.

·       The developer and Sport England had confirmed that 19 car parking spaces was sufficient for cricket use. There was also the possibility of making additional parking available on the grass verges adjacent to the East Drive if required.

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

·       As there was no increase in floor space, there was no requirement for the developer to provide affordable housing as stated in paragraph 65 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

·       In this application existing vacant floorspace would be replaced with new floorspace, but with no net increase in floorspace.

The Chair invited Parish Councillor Margaret Trinder and Andrew Riant to speak in support of the application. Parish Councillor Trinder thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       She was the Chair of Preston Parish Council.

·       All buildings on the new site had been sensitively drawn and the new building was appropriate in size.

·       Provision had been made to protect wildlife, in particular barn owls which were of importance to the community.

·       Preston Parish Council wanted to show their appreciation to the developer for keeping them well informed throughout the application process and to the Senior Planning Officer for his support in ensuring the views of the Parish Council were understood.

·       Temple Dinsley was an important part of the parish.

·       The footpaths would ensure that all residents could access the sporting facilities and the village.

·       The 75 year lease on the two tennis courts for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

All works associated with the conversion of the Grade II* Listed Building from the former all-girls boarding school to 35no. new apartments and the works for the reinstatement of the Grade II* Listed Park and Garden at Temple Dinsley and all works associated with the conversion of the curtilage listed Tank House and Pump House buildings and the demolition of the existing sports hall.

RESOLVED: That application 24/01065/LBC be GRANTED listed building consent subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager subject to:

(a)   The Committee to delegate powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to resolve and amend matters as is appropriate and necessary.

(b)   The inclusion of the additional Condition 64, as follows:

“Condition 64:

Prior to the proposed new permissive path from the Dower House being first brought into use, details of alterations to existing boundary wall and gate where new access is proposed onto Hitchin Road shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Thereafter, the alterations and gate shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and be made available for pedestrian use in accordance with the phasing plan approved under condition 4.

Reason: in the interests of visual amenity and to protect the setting and appearance of heritage assets.”

Audio recording – 1 hour 34 minutes 10 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer provided an update regarding the Supplementary Document that had been published on 30 January 2025.

There were no further questions from Members or contributions from public participants on the Listed Building Consent application.

Councillor Martin Prescott proposed and Councillor Jon Clayden seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That application 24/01065/LBC be GRANTED listed building consent subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager subject to:

(a)   The Committee to delegate powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to resolve and amend matters as is appropriate and necessary.

(b)   The inclusion of the additional condition (Condition 64):

“Prior to the proposed new permissive path from the Dower House being first brought into use, details of alterations to existing boundary wall and gate where new access is proposed onto Hitchin Road shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Thereafter, the alterations and gate shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and be made available for pedestrian use in accordance with the phasing plan approved under condition 4.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to protect the setting and appearance of heritage assets.”

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 39 minutes 3 seconds

The Development and Conservation Manager presented the report entitled Planning Appeals and informed the Committee that:

·       6 appeals had been decided, of which 4 had been dismissed and 2 had been allowed.

·       3 appeals had been lodged.

·       A Purchase Notice had been served on the Council by the landowners regarding listed building consent for double glazed windows in a property in Breachwood Green.

·       A cost decision had been made to the Council for a property in Knebworth which related to a permission in principle which was a two-stage process.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor Caroline McDonnell

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

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

·       A purchase notice was a notice served by a landowner on the Council requiring the purchase of land when a listed building consent had been refused and the landowner was claiming that the land was no longer capable of reasonably beneficial use. When the Council refused to accept a purchase notice, the case had to be referred to the Secretary of State.

·       There was no further update available on the planning application in Hinkworth Road, Ashwell.

·       The public enquiry into the planning application for 42 dwellings in Baldock would commence on 29 April and 4 days have been allocated for this hearing. An update would be provided at the next Planning Control Committee meeting.