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Agenda item

26/00631/RM Ickleford Mill, Arlesey Road, Ickleford, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 3UN

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Reserved matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale in relation to erection of 55 dwellings and associated access, car parking, garages, landscaping and open space pursuant to Outline Planning Permission 17/01955/1 (as varied by associated Section 73 Planning Application)(as amended by plans received June 2026).

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the reserves matters on application 26/00631/RM be APPROVED subject to:

 

A)    The approval of the associated S73 application.

B)    The applicant agreeing to extend the statutory period in order to allow time for the Deed of Variation to be completed for the associated S73 application which this RM approval will be pursuant to and to enable the decision notice to be issued.

C)    Providing delegated powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to update conditions and informatives with minor amendments as required.

D)    No substantive new issues being raised during the reconsultation process which expires 12 August 2026. In the instance where new issues are raised, the matter would be referred back to Members for reconsideration.

E)    The conditions and informatives as set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the additional Condition 5,6 and 7 as follows:

 

‘Condition 5

 

Prior to the first occupation of any dwellings hereby permitted, a Scheme of additional site wide visitor cycle parking facilities shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The Scheme shall include a programme for the installation of the additional cycle parking facilities.

 

Reason: To ensure the provision of adequate cycle parking that meets the needs of occupiers of and visitors to the proposed development and in the interests of encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport in accordance with the adopted NHC Design Code and with Policies 1, 5 and 8 of Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018).

 

Condition 6

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as amended no development as set out in Classes A, AA, B, C, E of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Order, (or any subsequent Statutory Instrument which revokes, amends and/or replaces those provisions) shall be carried out within plot 44 without first obtaining a specific planning permission from the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason: To ensure that the residential amenity of the adjacent properties are maintained in accordance with Policies D1 and D3 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

 

Condition 7

 

Prior to the first occupation of any dwellings hereby permitted, full details of gates and fences not annotated on landscape drawings shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. Thereafter, the development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: to ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and for the avoidance of doubt in accordance with Policy D1 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.’

 

Minutes:

Audio recording – 39 minutes 32 seconds

 

The Chair advised that the officer presentation for Item 7 had already been delivered under Item 6.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·        Councillor Claire Strong

·        Councillor Clare Billing

·        Councillor Val Bryant

 

In response to questions, the Project Officer advised that:

 

·        Reuse of bricks from the existing mill would depend on quality and quantity.

·        Some hardstanding would be reused for levelling due to changes in site levels.

·        Height and design of dwellings had been assessed and justified in the officer report.

 

In response to questions, the Locum Planning Lawyer advised that a Construction Management Plan was secured under the Outline Permission previously granted and not part of Reserved Matters.

 

The Chair invited the Applicant, Ms Isabel Yeardley and two Representatives, Mr David Fletcher and Mr Henry James, to speak in support of the application. Ms Yeardley thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:

 

·        The Reserved Matters application sought approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for 55 dwellings.

·        A design-led approach reduced the number from 71 to 55 dwellings to maximise amenity.

·        Two character areas were proposed: mill and riverside.

·        The landscape strategy retained the river as a defining feature and provided generous open space.

·        All homes would have air-source heat pumps, EV charging points and water-efficient designs.

·        There had been no objections received from key consultees.

·        Hill Group was committed to early commencement if approved.

 

The following Members asked for points of clarification:

 

·        Councillor Dave Winstanley

·        Councillor Clare Billing

·        Councillor Caroline McDonnell

·        Councillor Val Bryant

 

In response to point of clarifications, Ms Yeardley, advised that:

 

·        Solar panels were not proposed, and energy efficiency would be achieved through a  fabric-first approach.

·        They confirmed bus services included the 9A, 9B and the Bedford route.

·        There was 40% affordable housing overall comprised of 8 shared ownership, 13 affordable rent and 1 social rent unit.

 

In response to point of clarification from Councillor Clare Billing, Mr James advised that the reuse of bricks would be assessed after demolition.

 

 

Councillor Emma Fernandes, as Chair, proposed to grant permission and this was seconded by Councillor Ian Mantle.

 

The following Members took  part of the debate:

 

·        Councillor Claire Strong

·        Councillor Clare Billing

·        Councillor Dave Winstanley

·        Councillor Emma Fernandes

 

The following points were made as part of the debate:

 

·        Construction traffic and interest in understanding the route of demolition and construction vehicles once works commence.

·        It was acknowledged that construction management arrangements had already been approved under the outline permission and were not part of the Reserved Matters application.

·        Residents would likely be interested in the construction traffic routes due to existing road restrictions in the area.

·        It was noted that weight restrictions on Old Hale Lane remained in force and would need to be adhered to by construction vehicles.

·        Expression of support for the development, describing it as sympathetic to the character of the former mill buildings and an appropriate use of a brownfield site.

·        The redevelopment was considered a significant improvement over the derelict mill, with benefits including sustainability measures, affordable housing provision and thoughtful design.

·        The positive transformation of a site previously associated with antisocial behaviour and welcomed the delivery of new homes.

 

Having being proposed and seconded and following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the reserve matters on application 26/00631/RM be APPROVED subject to:

 

A)    The approval of the associated S73 application.

B)    The applicant agreeing to extend the statutory period in order to allow time for the Deed of Variation to be completed for the associated S73 application which this RM approval will be pursuant to and to enable the decision notice to be issued.

C)    Providing delegated powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to update conditions and informatives with minor amendments as required.

D)    No substantive new issues being raised during the reconsultation process which expires 12 August 2026. In the instance where new issues are raised, the matter would be referred back to Members for reconsideration.

E)    The conditions and informatives as set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the additional Condition 5,6 and 7 as follows:

 

‘Condition 5

 

Prior to the first occupation of any dwellings hereby permitted, a Scheme of additional site wide visitor cycle parking facilities shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The Scheme shall include a programme for the installation of the additional cycle parking facilities.

 

Reason: To ensure the provision of adequate cycle parking that meets the needs of occupiers of and visitors to the proposed development and in the interests of encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport in accordance with the adopted NHC Design Code and with Policies 1, 5 and 8 of Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018).

 

Condition 6

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as amended no development as set out in Classes A, AA, B, C, E of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Order, (or any subsequent Statutory Instrument which revokes, amends and/or replaces those provisions) shall be carried out within plot 44 without first obtaining a specific planning permission from the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason: To ensure that the residential amenity of the adjacent properties are maintained in accordance with Policies D1 and D3 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

 

Condition 7

 

Prior to the first occupation of any dwellings hereby permitted, full details of gates and fences not annotated on landscape drawings shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. Thereafter, the development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: to ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and for the avoidance of doubt in accordance with Policy D1 of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.’

 

Supporting documents: