Agenda item

RESOLVED: That application 20/00851/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager and the following amended and additional conditions:

Condition 6 to be amended to read:

“6.  Prior to occupation, the proposed new dwelling and carer flat shall each incorporate an Electric Vehicle (EV) ready domestic charging point to provide two such points in total.

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.”

The following condition to be added:

“8.  Details and/or samples of materials to be used on all external elevations and the roof of the garage and carer flat building hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before that part of the development is commenced and the approved details shall be implemented on site.

Reason: To ensure that the development will have an acceptable appearance which does not detract from the appearance and character of the surrounding area.”

Audio Recording – 1 hour 10 minutes.

Change of use and conversion of existing swimming pool, outbuilding and garage into one 3-bed dwelling. Erection of detached garage block with carer flat above following demolition of existing stables, greenhouse and outbuilding (amended by plans received 03/07/20 and 11/12/20)

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 20/00851/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor David Levett

·                Councillor Sue Ngwala

·                Councillor Tom Tyson

·                Councillor Mike Rice

In response to questions the Senior Planning Officer advised:

·                The proposed development replacing the swimming pool was of a similar footprint; the proposed carer flat was slightly bigger than the existing structure; the garage building would be approximately 25% larger than the building it replaced;

·                More weight should be given to the fact that under the Adopted Local Plan the site is designated as a rural area outside the green belt than its designation under the Emerging Local Plan, which was not yet at a stage of approval as to allow it to take precedence;

In response to questions the Principal Planning Officer advised:

·                The designation of the site at present under the Adopted Local Plan should be given precedence;

·                At present the site was not in the green belt; to refuse on the basis of harm to the green belt could be considered unreasonable and grounds for appeal.

The Chair invited Councillor Lisa Nash (Member Advocate) to address the Committee.

Councillor Lisa Nash thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a presentation including:

·                She had supported the objection of Knebworth Parish Council on the basis that they believed the site to be designated as green belt;

·                The proposed development would significantly reduce the plot size of the dwelling;

·                Converting the outbuildings in to residential dwellings would create a residential footprint disproportionate to the original buildings;

·                This increased footprint would harm the openness of the site.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Daniel Allen

·                Councillor Ruth Brown

·                Councillor David Levett

·                Councillor Tony Hunter

In response to questions and issues raised the Senior Planning Officer advised:

·                The report did not contain a construction management plan because the development was small in scale and construction would take place away from the public highway;

·                HCC Highways officers had no comment on the proposal;

·                The materials stated in the application were of sufficient standard to not require a condition on approval to enforce their use.

It was moved by Councillor David Levett, seconded by Councillor Tony Hunter and:

RESOLVED: That application 20/00851/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager and the following amended and additional conditions:

Condition 6 to be amended to read:

“6.  Prior to occupation, the proposed new dwelling and carer flat shall each incorporate an Electric Vehicle (EV) ready domestic charging point to provide two such points in total.

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.”

The following condition to be added:

“8.  Details and/or samples of materials to be used on all external elevations and the roof of the garage and carer flat building hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before that part of the development is commenced and the approved details shall be implemented on site.

Reason: To ensure that the development will have an acceptable appearance which does not detract from the appearance and character of the surrounding area.”