Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Erection of 144 no. dwellings, new vehicular access onto Bedford Road, associated garages and car parking spaces, public open space, landscaping and attenuation areas (as amended 25th October 2018).

RESOLVED:  That, in respect of application 18/01622/FP, the Planning Control Committee support the Planning Officer recommendation set out in section 9 of the Committee report as follows:

9.1     That the Planning Control Committee resolve the following in relation to the submitted appeal against non-determination of application ref: 18/01622/FP;

9.2     A) That North Hertfordshire District Council advise the Planning Inspectorate that had it determined planning application ref: 18/01622/FP it would have resolved to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and the planning conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report to the NHDC Planning Control Committee, 30th May 2019 (Agenda item 11);

9.3     B) That North Hertfordshire District Council advise the Planning Inspectorate that it does not wish to contest the appeal against non-determination of planning application ref: 18/01622/FP (Appeal ref: APP/X1925/W/3232512) subject to the Council’s participation in the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and appropriate conditions and informatives.

Audio Recording (Session 1) – Start of Item – 4 Minutes, 33 Seconds

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 18/01622/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The Principal Planning Officer informed Members of the Committee that the application was now the subject of an appeal to be heard by a Public Inquiry.

The Principal Planning Officer explained that due to the Planning Control Committee resolving to defer consideration of the application until the publication of the emerging North Herts Local Plan Examination Inspector’s report at the last meeting on 30 May 2019.  The Local Planning Authority, (LPA) - had received notification of the applicant’s intention to lodge an appeal against the non—determination of the Planning Application.  The LPA had since, received confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate.  The Appeal had been fast tracked and a hearing date of 15 October 2019 for three days had been set with a decision letter to be issued on or before 18 December 2019

The Principal Planning Officer, for clarification, informed Members of the Committee that as part of the Appeal, a decision was required at that evenings meeting, as to whether or not planning permission would have been refused or granted.

Ickleford Parish Councillor Ryan Harper thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and made a presentation in objection to the application

No questions were asked of Mr Harper’s presentation.

Councillor Sam North, Member Advocate, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation in objection to application 18/01622/FP.

The following Members asked questions or sought clarification of Councillor North’s presentation:

·                Councillor Kay Tart

·                Councillor David Levett

·                Councillor Sue Ngwala

Mr Geoff Armstrong from Armstrong Rigg Planning thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation in support of the application.

The following Members asked questions or sought clarification of Mr Armstrong’s presentation:

Councillor Daniel Allen (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor David Levett

The Principal Planning Officer clarified details regarding some of the questions asked with the assistance of specialist information from:

John Rumble, The Head of Environmental Resource Planning – Hertfordshire County Council, Lead Local Flood Authority

Antony Proietti , Growth & Infrastructure Unit Team Leader – Hertfordshire County Council Education

Roger Taylor, Area Development Manager – Hertfordshire Highways

David Carr, NHDC Environmental Protection Officer

Alice Bearton, School Planning Officer – Herts County Council, Children’s Services

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

·                Councillor Daniel Allen

·                Councillor Val Bryant

·                Councillor Tony Hunter

·                Councillor David Levett

·                Councillor Ian Mantle

·                Councillor Michael Muir

·                Councillor Mike Rice

·                Councillor Kay Tart

·                Councillor Tom Tyson

After a lengthy debate, it was proposed by Councillor Michael Rice, seconded by Councillor Morgan Derbyshire and upon the vote:

RESOLVED:  That, in respect of application 18/01622/FP, the Planning Control Committee support the Planning Officer recommendation set out in section 9 of the Committee report as follows:

9.1     That the Planning Control Committee resolved the following in relation to the submitted appeal against non-determination of application ref: 18/01622/FP;

9.2     A) That North Hertfordshire District Council advised the Planning Inspectorate that had it determined Planning Application ref: 18/01622/FP, it would have resolved to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement, and that the planning conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee Report to the NHDC Planning Control Committee, 30th May 2019 (Agenda item 11);

9.3     B) That North Hertfordshire District Council advised the Planning Inspectorate that it did not wish to contest the appeal against non-determination of Planning Application ref: 18/01622/FP (Appeal ref: APP/X1925/W/3232512) subject to the Council’s participation in the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and appropriate conditions and informatives.

The Chairman advised that there would be a 5 minute comfort break.