Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 152 KBVenue: Council Chamber - District Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth, SG6 3JF. View directions
Contact: Email: Committee.Services@north-herts.gov.uk 01462 474655
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 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. Decision: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Val Bryant, Tom Tyson and Dave Winstanley.
Having given due notice, Councillor Mick Debenham substituted for Councillor Bryant and Councillor Daniel Allen substituted for Councillor Winstanley. Minutes: Audio recording – 1 minute 12 seconds
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Val Bryant, Tom Tyson and Dave Winstanley.
Having given due notice, Councillor Mick Debenham substituted for Councillor Bryant and Councillor Daniel Allen substituted for Councillor Winstanley. |
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NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS 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. Decision: There was no other business notified. Minutes: Audio recording – 1 minute 37 seconds
There was no other business notified. |
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CHAIR'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 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. Decision: (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. Minutes: Audio recording – 1 minute 40 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. |
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public. Decision: There was no public participation. Minutes: Audio recording – 3 minutes 55 seconds
The Chair confirmed that the registered speakers were in attendance. |
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25/02401/OP LAND SOUTH OF TURNPIKE LANE, ICKLEFORD, HERTFORDSHIRE REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That application 25/02401/OP be GRANTED planning permission 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; and
b) Providing delegated powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to:
(i) Resolve outstanding matters and financial contributions including a late request from Ickleford Parish Council; and (ii) Update conditions and informatives with minor amendments as required; and
c) The conditions as set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manger. Minutes: Audio recording – 4 minutes 29 seconds
N.B. Councillor Louise Peace declared an interest as Member Advocate Objector and moved to the public speaking gallery.
The Senior Planning Officer provided a verbal update on matters relating to Application 25/02401/OP and advised that:
· S106 requests had been received from Ickleford Parish Council, which had been published with the supplementary documents. · The recommendations should be amended to include the provision of delegated powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to review the S106 requests and agree payment for any Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) compliant requests. · The Applicant had circulated a briefing note directly to Members, and this was available to view on the Council website. · A new neighbour representation had been received, which provided neutral comments and did not raise any new issues that had not been addressed in the report.
The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 25/02401/OP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Daniel Allen · Councillor Ruth Brown · Councillor Mick Debenham · Councillor Martin Prescott · Councillor Caroline McDonnell · Councillor Nigel Mason
In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:
· Horses grazed on the land, but the space was not used for agriculture. · There was approximately 70 metres between the most southern point of the site and the Hitchin settlement boundary. · The report concluded that the site was classified under the Green Belt despite the Applicant making a submission that the land was Grey Belt. · Keeping the southern half of the site free of built form carried significant weight in favour of the application under the Green Belt Assessment. · On-site open space would be gained through this application as most of the site was currently inaccessible to the public. · It was roughly 150 metres from the first dwelling on Old Hale Way to the last dwelling on Arlesey Road, although the nearest dwelling to Hitchin was likely to be in Ickleford Bury. · An active travel pathway would run through the development and link the east and west sides of the site.
In response to questions, the Development and Conservation Manager advised that:
· The Illustrative Masterplan would be a material planning consideration in any future reserved matters application, and a Master Compliance Statement would be required by recommended condition, but granting outline planning permission would not tie reserved matters to the Illustrative Masterplan. · The extent of built form was set out in the submitted Parameter Plan, which would be an approve plan. · This scale of development should be deliverable within 5 years, but it would depend on several factors including the approval of reserved matters. · As it had been designated as Green Belt land in the Local Plan, the site would remain Green Belt until any Green Belt Review and new Local Plan determined otherwise.
In response to questions, the Principal Planning Officer advised that:
· There would be 200 metres between the onsite developable area and the Hitchin settlement boundary, which was defined by the playing ... view the full minutes text for item 167. |
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26/00006/FP LAND TO NORTH OF, STEVENAGE ROAD, HITCHIN, HERTFORDSHIRE REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: That application 26/00006/FP be REFUSED planning permission for the reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.
Minutes: Audio recording – 1 hour 30 minutes 26 seconds
The Principal Planning Officer provided a verbal update on matters relating to Application 26/00006/FP and advised that:
· Councillor Ralph Muncer had submitted a letter of objection after the publication of the supplementary documents. · St Ippolyts Parish Council had also submitted a letter of objection and an S106 request following the publication of the supplementary documents. · The Applicant had submitted a new proposed site layout, tenure plan, drainage addendum, highways technical note and noise impact assessment, and had requested for these to replace the original documents. · A request had also been made by the Applicant to extend the determination period of the application until 3 July 2026.
The Principal Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 26/00006/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Martin Prescott · Councillor Mick Debenham · Councillor Daniel Allen
In response to questions, the Principal Planning Officer advised that:
· The ownership of the gate and the road that would be used for site access were unknown, but it was that they were owned by Kingshott School. · Affordable housing would be similar to market housing within the development and both their material distribution and form were similar. · Non-vehicle routes would lead out of the site in multiple directions to various facilities and amenities around 1km away.
In response to questions, the Locum Planning Lawyer advised that ownership matters were not a material planning consideration as these would be between the Applicant and the road owner to discuss.
The Chair invited the Representative for the Applicant, Mr Alun Evans to speak in support of the application. They thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· In their opinion, the planning application had been put forward for consideration too early, and they had politely submitted an extension request to the Council. · The new documents put forward responded to comments from statutory consultees and offered technical reasoning and solutions to key parts of the scheme. · The contribution of the site towards Purpose A in the Green Belt assessment was not evident as containment features surrounding the site would prevent sprawl. · Grey belt development did not cause harm to the Green Belt, and this should be given material weight in determining the application. · 50% affordable housing provided by the development should also be given significant weight. · An accessible ecological buffer would be provided by the development. · This application should be deferred or granted planning permission by the Committee.
The following Members asked points of clarification:
· Councillor Clare Billing · Councillor Ian Mantle · Councillor Louise Peace · Councillor Daniel Allen
In response to points of clarification, Mr Evans advised that:
· They had not withdrawn the application due to the cost and the reputation of the Council to work proactively with developers. · This was not an isolated development as it would have direct active travel links with Hitchin and amenities in proximity to the development. · The ... view the full minutes text for item 168. |
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25/02794/RM HIGHOVER FARM, HIGHOVER WAY, HITCHIN, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG4 0RQ REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That application 25/02794/RM be APPROVED reserved matters subject to:
a) Providing delegated powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to:
i) Update conditions and informatives with minor amendments as required; and ii) Finalise the tracking plans in consultation with the Highways Authority; and
b) The conditions as set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager. Minutes: Audio recording – 2 hours 11 minutes 7 seconds
The Senior Planning Officer provided a verbal update on matters relating to Application 25/02794/RM and advised that:
· The most up-to-date Location Plan had been published with the supplementary documents. · Tracking plans had not been agreed by the Highways Authority, therefore, an additional recommendation to provide delegated powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to finalise tracking plans in consultation with the Highways Authority was suggested.
The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 25/02794/RM accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Martin Prescott · Councillor Ruth Brown · Councillor Louise Peace · Councillor Daniel Allen
In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:
· The condition relating to solar panels had already been discharged in a separate application and EV chargers were subject to a pre-occupation condition in a separate application. · The application had not been considered by the Design Review Panel, but Urban Design Officers had commented on the application and the Applicant would have to adhere to the District Urban Design Code on any future applications submitted. · Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) had already been agreed in consultation with the Local Lead Flood Authority in a separate application. · The main road running through the site would likely be adopted by the Highways Authority, and the two loop roads in the development had also been designed to be adoptable. However, cul de sacs were unlikely to be adopted. · This phase of the development was denser than the next phase as it contained more flats rather than housing. However, 40% affordable housing would still be delivered across all phases for the site. · A consultation response from the Green Space Team had not been received but a previous comment from them detailed that the Council no longer required dog litter bins to be provided. As such, there were enough litter bins without those to satisfy requirements, but the Green Space Team would be contacted about this anyway in due course.
The Chair invited the Representative for the Applicant, Mr Mark Osborn to speak in support of the application. They thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· The application complied with the approved Design Code, the Strategic Masterplan Framework and the Phasing Strategy. · They had worked closely with officers to discuss key design concerns, which had resulted in the amended plans in their current form. · This phase focused on the eastern side of the site and would enable a permeable and legible development in anticipation of features delivered in the next phases. · 40% affordable housing would be delivered, with a higher proportion of 1 and 2-bed flats as this phase contained the character area of The Avenue where height and density were needed as prescribed by the outline planning permission and Design Code. · Most proposed dwellings in this phase would be 2 storeys and all proposed garages would be single storey. |
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EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC 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). Decision: RESOLVED: 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). Minutes: Audio recording – 2 hours 45 minutes 29 seconds
Councillor Nigel Mason proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and, following a vote, it was:
RESOLVED: 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). |
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PLANNING ENFORCEMENT QUARTERLY REPORT - PART 2 INFORMATION NOTE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
To provide Members with a quarterly update on planning enforcement. Decision: The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report – Part 2’. Minutes: N.B. This item was considered in private session and therefore no audio recording was available.
The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report – Part 2’, following which Members asked questions.
The Chair thanked the Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader for their presentation. |
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PLANNING ENFORCEMENT QUARTERLY REPORT - PART 1 INFORMATION NOTE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
To provide Members with a quarterly update on planning enforcement. Decision: The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report – Part 1’.
Minutes: Audio recording – 3 hours 1 minute 3 seconds
The Conservation and Planning Enforcement Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report – Part 1’ and advised that:
· An enforcement notice had been served to 4C Sun Street for the alteration of fenestration within a conservation area. · Breachwood Green had been served an enforcement notice for change of use of a car park in the Green Belt and the appeal on this had been dismissed. However, the enforcement notice had been served by the appellant, and another appeal had been submitted, which would be determined through the written representation procedure. · An appeal had been made against the enforcement notice served to The George at Baldock, and this would be determined through a Public Inquiry. · A listed building enforcement notice had been served to 19 Sollershott Hall for the installation of a trellis, and they were seeking compliance on this as there had been no appeal made. · 96 High Street had been served an enforcement notice for installing UPVC windows on a listed building without authorisation, and they were also hoping for compliance on this. · An appeal had been submitted on the enforcement notice served to The Barn at Tee Green, and this would be determined through written representations. · An enforcement notice had been served to 31 Thatcher’s End, and the appeal made against this would also be determined through written representations. · Members would receive an update on the determination of those appeals at a future meeting.
The Chair and Councillor Ruth Brown put on record their thanks to the Planning Enforcement Team for their work.
The Chair also thanked the Vice-Chair and officers for supporting the Committee during the Civic Year, and thanked Members for their commitment and time dedicated to the Committee.
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