Decision details

Mr Stacey addressed the Committee in support of the application.

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/16/2847/FUL, planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted.

Councillor D Andrews addressed the Committee as the local ward Member.  He stated that the proposed development would only be visible from Dowsetts Lane in the winter once leaves had fallen.  He referred to the fact that the neighbours and the wider community did not find this application objectionable.

The Head summarised the application and detailed the relevant planning history.  He referred to the site being located in a rural area of the District and this did restrict the potential granting of planning permission for buildings and uses which the Councils policies set out were inappropriate in this location.  Officers had reached a balanced view on the potential introduction of a building of a significant size into the environment in this location. 

The Head referred to the fundamental planning policy matters and concluded that the positive impacts and benefits of the application did not outweigh the harm to the rural area and the application should be refused.  Councillor D Oldridge referred to the size of the proposed development and stated that an approval would set a precedent for other developments on this scale.

Councillor D Andrews stated that some of the responses from the statutory consultees were particularly helpful such as that received from the Flood Authority.  He commented that the congregation was successful and their needs were substantial.  He further commented that this site could be easily accessed from Hertford, Puckeridge, Standon and Ware.  He emphasised that Dowsetts Farm was of a similar size but was more obtrusive and less attractive than the proposed scheme.

Councillor P Ruffles stated that he was sympathetic towards granting planning permission.  He commented that the local element had been overplayed and he felt that this application fitted in with the local rural environment.  He suggested that suitable landscaping conditions could be imposed.

Councillor M Casey commented that the proposal was more than twice the size of the existing meeting hall and he referred to the proposed parking area for 177 cars.  He queried the size of the congregation as well as how many of the brethren would travel from outside the local area.  Councillor J Goodeve expressed concerns over the sustainability of the location if people were travelling from as far afield as Broxbourne, Cheshunt and Cuffley.  Councillor K Warnell commented that the application would be of little benefit to the local community.

The Head referred to the additional commentary in the late representations.  He stated that the policies in the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007 were designed to support different types of development.  He stated that in this area policies restricted development to limited small scale facilities for leisure and sports.  Members were reminded that each Committee decision had an impact on any future decisions Members had to make on applications in this particular area.

The Head stated that this was an unusual form of development and the benefits had to be weighed against the harm and Officers felt that, in this case, the harm was more significant than the benefits in planning policy terms.

Councillor D Andrews proposed and Councillor R Brunton seconded, a motion that application 3/16/2847/FUL be granted on the basis that, on balance, the merits of the application and the social advantages outweighed the disadvantages and authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control to formulate an appropriate set of conditions.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.  The Committee rejected the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Building Control as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/16/2847/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to conditions and authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control to formulate an appropriate set of conditions.