Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor K Crofton.  It was noted that Councillor J Jones was substituting for Councillor K Crofton.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 8 January 2014 (Previously circulated as part of the Council Minute book for 29 January 2014).

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the inclusion of Councillor P Ballam in the list of Members who were also present at the meeting.

Recommended for Approval.

The following people addressed the Committee in objection to the application:

·                          Councillor John Barfoot (Hertfordshire County Council)

·                          Rob Francis (Chantry Community Association)

·                          Martyn Clarke

·                          John Browne (Bishop’s Stortford Grove Residents Action Group)

·                          Diane Basavaraj (Save/Shape our Stortford)

·                          Richard Cahill (Bishop’s Stortford Community Football Club)

The following people addressed the Committee in support of the application:

·                          Tom Hill QC (for the Bishop’s Stortford North Consortium)

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, subject to the referral of the application to the Secretary of State under the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, in respect of application 3/13/0075/OP:

1.                      In consultation with the Chairman of the Development Management Committee and the Head of Planning and Building Control, the Head of Democratic and Legal Services completes a Section 106 Agreement in accordance with the heads of terms as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘A’ to the report submitted to the Development Management Committee of 5 December 2013;

2.                      In consultation with the Chairman of the Development Management Committee, the Executive Member for Community Safety and Environment, plus any two Members who represent Bishop’s Stortford wards and who are Members of this Committee and the Head of Democratic and Legal Services, the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to make amendments to the heads of terms, the scale of financial contributions to be assigned to the various service areas referred to in the heads of terms and the service areas to which financial contributions should be assigned and the Head of Democratic and Legal Services be authorised to complete a Section 106 Agreement as may be amended, in all cases to ensure a satisfactory development;

3.                      Upon completion of the Section 106 Agreement as authorised, planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted to the Development Management Committee of 5 December 2013; and

4.                      In consultation with the Chairman of the Development Management Committee, the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised, in advance of the issuing of the planning permission, to add or remove conditions and directives and make such changes to the wording of them as may be necessary, to ensure clarity and enforceability, and to ensure a satisfactory development.

The Director advised that, at the meeting on the 5 December 2013, Members did not resolve to refuse the proposals nor did they seek to defer consideration of the proposals on any issue other than detailed consideration and investigation of alternative access arrangements relating to the proposed western neighbourhood (Phase 1), on the basis that any alternative access arrangements should not comprise the existing roundabout onto Hadham Road.

The Director advised that no other decisions had been made by the Committee in relation to the application.  Members were advised that it was necessary however, for the Committee to weigh all material planning considerations in the balance when reaching its decision.  Therefore, Members might  ...  view the full minutes text for item 506.