Agenda item

RESOLVED: That application 22/01810/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation manager, with the following amendment to Condition 3 and the addition of Condition 9 to read:

 

“Condition 3:

 

To use hereby approved shall only take place between the hours of 07.00 and 20.00.

 

Reason: To ensure the amenity of neighbouring occupiers is protected and that no unacceptable harm is caused to the local environment and wildlife.

 

Condition 9:

 

Prior to the first occupation of the containers hereby approve, details of fencing are to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved details are to be implemented prior to the first occupation of the containers and thereafter retained for the duration of the use hereby permitted.”

 

Reason: To restrict vehicle size.”

Audio recording – 77 minutes 15 seconds

 

The Senior Planning Officer provided the following updates:

 

·         Two items in the report were updated before being presented to the Committee.

·         Proposed amendments to the conditions had been circulated to Members and included as addenda to the report prior to the meeting. These amendments had been agreed with the agent of the applicant.

·         The Environmental Health Officer highlighted that there had been no noise assessments submitted in support of the application and in light of objections, it would be prudent to restrict the night-time activity at the site.

·         This could be done with a condition requiring the submission of a noise management plan for approval prior to use or restricting the hours of use to daytime hours 07.00-23.00 with a noise impact assessment if night-time use is required.

 

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 22/01810/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·         Councillor Val Bryant

·         Councillor Tony Hunter

·         Council David Levett

 

In response to the questions, Harriet Sanders advised:

 

·         Condition 3 detailed the restriction to access hours.

·         Lighting conditions would be considered.

 

The Chair invited Ms Suzannah Russell to speak against the application.  Ms Russell thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

 

·         The location displayed very minimal coverage for security and screening for existing hedging.

·         The containers would not be obscured from the nearby playing field, which would degrade the appearance of the field.

·         There would be no secure fencing around the perimeter of the site, which could lead to climbing on the containers and graffiti.

·         There was concern for the vulnerability of lone workers at other units on the site, with the site being unsupervised.

·         There was regular traffic congestion at the site.

·         The containers would take up car parking space for other site users.

·         There were concerns about noise, the unlimited access, lighting at the site, waste, and surveillance.

 

There were no points of clarification from Members.

 

The Chair thanked Ms Russell for her presentation and invited Mr Pete Turness to speak in support of the application. Mr Turness thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

 

·         Hitchin Motor Care were the only occupiers of the site, and occupied three spaces under a historic lease.

·         Container storage was a relatively new innovation and Customer parking generally occurred adjacent to a customer’s container.

·         Working from a rented container would be prohibited.

·         There were currently 9 occupied containers at the site, and more was required for the Applicant’s own use.

·         The application aimed to target long-term tenant and intended to impose strict terms and conditions.

·         Trading on-site would not be an option, with significant monitoring and security.

·         Highways had chosen not to restrict parking in Cadwell Lane and Wallace Way.

·         The application would be a natural progression of the site.

 

The following Members asked points of clarification:

 

·         Councillor David Levett

·         Councillor Daniel Allen

·         Councillor Val Bryant

 

In response to the points of clarification, Mr Turness advised:

 

·         The joining of containers would be avoided, and there was no plan to have more than one entry into each container.

·         A Palisade fence would be put around the site.

·         Vehicles over 3.5tons were not anticipated to use the site.

·         The large concrete blocks on the site were owned by Recycling Lives.

·         The proposed time restrictions would not have an impact on the business.

·         Site access would be through a keypad, and terms and conditions would restrict the hours of use.

 

Councillor Michael Muir commented on the noise from the site, and that time restrictions were needed on the site.

 

Harriet Sanders read out a verbal update from Councillor Ian Albert, a Member advocate who objected to the site. His update raised his concerns for the application, and suggested conditions that would restrict operating hours, lighting, restrict the site’s environmental impact and ensure adequate waste disposal.

 

Councillor David Levett commented that a late starting time would restrict workers. He also commented that some businesses work until late evening. He proposed an amendment to Condition 3, which would allow use of the site between 07.00 and 20.00.

 

Councillor Daniel Allen proposed another condition which would limit the size of vehicles allowed access to the site to 3.5 tonnes and below. In response to this proposed condition, the Acting Development and Conservation Manager advised that this condition was not reasonable, as it would not be possible to monitor.

 

Councillor Daniel Allen asked the Planning team if it were possible to limit the height of vehicles allowed access to the site.

 

The Acting Development and Conservation Manager advised that there was no condition requiring fencing in the report. A new condition could be added to encompass a barrier at the site entrance which could restrict height if the Applicant was willing to accept this.

 

Pete Turness advised that he was willing to accept the additional condition.

 

Councillor David Levett proposed and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded and after a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That application 22/01810/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation manager, with the following amendment to Condition 3 and the addition of Condition 9 to read:

 

“Condition 3:

 

To use hereby approved shall only take place between the hours of 07.00 and 20.00.

 

Reason: To ensure the amenity of neighbouring occupiers is protected and that no unacceptable harm is caused to the local environment and wildlife.

 

Condition 9:

 

Prior to the first occupation of the containers hereby approve, details of fencing are to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved details are to be implemented prior to the first occupation of the containers and thereafter retained for the duration of the use hereby permitted.”

 

Reason: To restrict vehicle size.”