Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Proposed winery production, processing and storage facility including hospitality functions, service apron, car park, access road, wetland waste treatment solution and landscaping.

RESOLVED: That application 23/01420/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager with the removal of 6.1(A) and 6.1(B) and the following additional conditions and informatives:

Condition 18:

If, during development, contamination not previously identified is found to be present at the site then no further development (unless agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority) shall be carried out until the developer has submitted a remediation strategy detailing how this contamination shall be dealt with and has obtained written approval from the Local Planning Authority. The remediation strategy shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To protect and prevent the pollution of controlled waters from potential pollutants associated with current and previous land uses in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraphs 174, 183, 184, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Condition 19:

The development hereby permitted may not commence until a non-mains waste water drainage scheme has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The scheme shall be implemented as approved and completed prior to the development being brought into use.

Reason: To protect and prevent the pollution of controlled waters from potential pollutants associated with current and previous land uses in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraphs 174, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Condition 20:

No development should commence until a scheme for surface water disposal has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. No drainage systems for the infiltration of surface water drainage into the ground is permitted other than with the express written consent of the Local Planning Authority, which may be given for those parts of the site where it has been demonstrated that there is no resultant unacceptable risk to controlled waters. The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the development does not contribute to and is not put at unacceptable risk from or adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of water pollution caused by mobilised contaminants. This is in line with paragraph 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Condition 21:

Piling or any other foundation designs and investigation boreholes using penetrative methods shall not be permitted other than with the express written consent of the Local Planning Authority, which may be given for those parts of the site where it has been demonstrated that there is no resultant unacceptable risk to groundwater. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To protect and prevent the pollution of controlled waters from potential pollutants associated with current and previous land uses in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraphs 174, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Aning Audio recording – 1 hour 33 minutes 10 seconds

The Development Management Team Leader provided updates that:

·       There had been a receipt of no objection from the Highways agency.

·       There had been advice that unilateral undertaking was no longer required and that Condition 15 was sufficient for the purpose of the travel plan implementation and monitoring.

·       There was a typographical error in 4.3.21 which should say ‘blood stock’, rather than ‘block stock’.

·       This was a full application of a winery production facility with hospitality and new parking space.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the report in respect of application 23/01420/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The Chair invited Mr Stephen Blowers to speak in support of the application. Mr Blowers thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation including that:

·       A leading design had been used for this winery by the architect.

·       The soil was in a south facing chalkland on the estate which was good for growing wine.

·       The end of the second growing season was approaching with a small harvest expected next year.

·       There would be a synergy with visitors to the stud being able to also visit the winery.

·       The surface and water waste system were based on a living water natural ecological system which collected waste and foul water by passing it though a bio filter to ensure there was not any contamination.

·       The fully integrated ecological system protects wildlife.

·       The site had access on to the road to provide maximum visibility to ensure any motorist could see the new junction.

In response to a point of clarification from Councillor Sean Nolan, the Development Management Team Leader stated that:

·       Before the winery was up to full capacity, they would have space within the facility to bring in grapes from other growers to process and mature wine.

·       There would be the potential to produce and store wines for other existing wineries after 2026 if required.

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

·       The winery was architecturally exciting and discreetly set within its rural environment.

·       The winery would be a credit to North Hertfordshire and would bring both employment and wine to the area.

The Chair thanked Mr Morris for his presentation.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Sean Nolan

Points raised in the debate included that:

·       The winery was an excellent design and was something new to the area.

·       It would be beneficial to the area and would bring rural jobs which was something that had been a struggle in other areas. 

Councillor Tom Tyson proposed and Councillor David Levett seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That application 23/01420/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager with the removal of 6.1(A) and 6.1(B) and the following additional conditions and informatives:

Condition 18:

If, during development, contamination not previously identified is found to be present at the site then no further development (unless agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority) shall be carried out until the developer has submitted a remediation strategy detailing how this contamination shall be dealt with and has obtained written approval from the Local Planning Authority. The remediation strategy shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To protect and prevent the pollution of controlled waters from potential pollutants associated with current and previous land uses in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraphs 174, 183, 184, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Condition 19:

The development hereby permitted may not commence until a non-mains waste water drainage scheme has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The scheme shall be implemented as approved and completed prior to the development being brought into use.

Reason: To protect and prevent the pollution of controlled waters from potential pollutants associated with current and previous land uses in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraphs 174, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Condition 20:

No development should commence until a scheme for surface water disposal has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. No drainage systems for the infiltration of surface water drainage into the ground is permitted other than with the express written consent of the Local Planning Authority, which may be given for those parts of the site where it has been demonstrated that there is no resultant unacceptable risk to controlled waters. The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the development does not contribute to and is not put at unacceptable risk from or adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of water pollution caused by mobilised contaminants. This is in line with paragraph 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.

Condition 21:

Piling or any other foundation designs and investigation boreholes using penetrative methods shall not be permitted other than with the express written consent of the Local Planning Authority, which may be given for those parts of the site where it has been demonstrated that there is no resultant unacceptable risk to groundwater. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To protect and prevent the pollution of controlled waters from potential pollutants associated with current and previous land uses in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraphs 174, your local plan policy SP11 ‘Natural resources and sustainability’ and relevant position statements within The Environment Agency’s Approach to Groundwater Protection.