Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Peter Mannings  Tel: (01279) 502174 Email:  peter.mannings@eastherts.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

104.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

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Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors S Bull and K Warnell.  It was noted that Councillors P Ballam and D Oldridge were substituting for Councillors S Bull and K Warnell respectively.

105.

Chairman's Announcements

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Minutes:

The Chairman stated that as the District Plan had taken further significant steps towards formal adoption, the weight that could be assigned to it had increased.

106.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

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Minutes:

Councillor T Page declared a non-pecuniary interest in application 3/18/0432/FUL, on the grounds that he was a Member of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.

 

Councillor B Deering declared non-pecuniary interests in applications 3/18/0432/FUL and 3/17/1537/FUL, on the grounds that he was a Member of Hertfordshire County Council for the Hertford Saint Andrews division.

107.

Minutes - 20 June 2018 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 20 June 2018.

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Minutes:

Councillor T Page proposed and Councillor P Boylan seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following being added to the end of the first sentence in paragraph 11 of Minute 63:

 

but opening hours were challenged in respect of night time economy provision’

 

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2018, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following being added to the end of the first sentence in paragraph 11 of Minute 63:

 

but opening hours were challenged in respect of night time economy provision’

108.

3/18/0432/FUL - Erection of Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) over six levels providing 546 spaces, open air surface car parking for 27 spaces to the north of the car park. Erection of a 4 storey building with commercial use at ground floor and 15 residential flats arranged over the upper 3 levels, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and associated highway and public realm works. Removal of fence and retaining wall at EHDC Car Park Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2ET pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Recommended for Approval.

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Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/18/0432/FUL, subject to the conditions detailed in the report to the Committee on 20 June 2018 and the amendments and additions detailed in the report now submitted, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

 

The Head drew attention to the additional commentary detailed in the schedule of late representations.  Members were referred in particular to comments of the Conservation Officer, Environmental Health, the HCC Property Services Officer and the Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation.  The Head also referred to 37 additional objections from neighbouring and local residents with some objectors having emailed Members directly.

 

The Head explained that the principal change was the changed orientation and enhanced size of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) which would now meet the specifications of Sports England and had been subject to a seven day consultation period.

 

Officers felt that, in order to protect the amenity of adjoining neighbours, a condition regarding lighting restrictions should remain contrary to the views of the HCC Property Services Officer.  The applicant had increased the affordable housing offer to 6 units or 40% provision.

 

The Head referred to noise readings taken on site at the start of July 2018 and these readings had been compared to an overall summary that had been completed regarding background noise.  The subsequent summary from the Environmental Health Officer had been submitted to Planning Officers and had been emailed to the Committee Members.

 

Members were advised that the matter of electrical charging points had been addressed at paragraph 2.9 on page 45 of the report submitted.  The applicant had indicated that there was the ability to provide more charging points if demand were to increase in future.  The Head drew Members’ attention to the matter of pedestrian movements in reference to pages 46 and 47 of the report.  There was no other significant new information that needed to be brought to the attention of the Committee regarding the conditions or the recommendation.

 

Councillor M Casey commented on the viability assessment and the compromise of 20% affordable housing that had been offered previously.  He queried what had changed to allow a revised offer of 40% affordable housing provision.

 

Councillors R Brunton and J Jones commented on policy in respect of affordable housing and sought clarification regarding low cost home ownership and whether this contributed to the 40% affordable housing provision.

 

Councillor P Boylan suggested that condition 31 be strengthened to reflect the dual nature of the 20 electric vehicle charging points.  He was also pleased to hear that the technology was intended to be future proofed.  He commented on the possibility of a condition to give a safety net against this car park being completed without the development of Old River Lane.

 

Councillor D Andrews referred to outstanding issues regarding the MUGA and commented on pedestrian movements to and from the proposed car park and the suggested times of peak demand of 12:45 to 13:00.  Councillor M Allen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

109.

3/17/1537/FUL - Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a foodstore, with associated car parking, servicing, landscaping and associated works at Consumers Association Gascoyne Way, Hertford SG14 1LH pdf icon PDF 273 KB

Recommended for Approval.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/17/1537/FUL, subject to a legal agreement, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

 

The Head summarised the application and detailed the relevant planning history.  Members were reminded of the policy requirement to maintain sufficient sites for employment use in light of the significant increase in housing sites detailed in the District Plan.

 

The Head stated that Officers had assessed the shortcomings of the site in terms of its attractiveness as an employment use as well as the proximity of watercourses and the issue of flooding.  Members were advised that the likelihood of the site being utilised for employment was in some doubt.

 

The Head stated that the application was largely acceptable in policy terms.  The site was close to the Hertford town centre but had been perceived to be remote from the town centre due to the busy A414 Gascoyne Way.  The site was separated from West Street properties by a watercourse and the intervening green space.

 

The Head advised that the usual preferred linkage to the town centre was compromised to a degree by the significant barrier feature of Gascoyne Way.  Officers felt that, on balance, the application would not adversely affect the town centre core retailers and would not adversely affect the function of the town centre or the character of the historic core of Hertford.

 

Dr McAllister and Mr Close addressed the Committee in support of the application.  Councillor P Ruffles commented on the nature of Aldi retail offer and whether this application would give permission for that retailer only.  He commented on the screening element of the car park in reference to landscaping to the Lea Valley side of the site.  He referred in particular to protection for residents of West Street.  He also referred to the wording of the conditions and the two hour limit for users of the car park and the possibility that they could also visit the town centre.

 

Councillor D Andrews commented that although he was broadly content with the application, he wondered whether Section 106 amelioration would be of benefit for the residents of West Street.  Councillor D Oldridge commented on the need for clarity regarding condition 21 and car parking hours of use and condition 7 in terms of a more precise number of cycle spaces for the car park.

 

Councillor B Deering commented on the importance of securing a workable underpass that people will use and he referred to the critical importance of protecting the underpass with CCTV.  Councillor T Stowe highlighted the importance of the car park and roadway being covered by a permeable material to avoid surface water run-off.

 

The Head confirmed that the occupier of the site was not wholly relevant as the application was for a class A1 retail use.  The building would be bespoke for a particular operator for convenience and comparison retailing. 

 

Members were advised that the screening to the southern side  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

110.

3/18/1112/FUL - Redevelopment of Colebrooke Court: Retain building structure with addition of one storey to the top floor to create a part-4 and part-5 storey building comprising 11 residential units (9 x 2-bedroom and 2 x 1-bedroom) with associated car parking, cycle storage, plant and landscaping works. Four storey front extension for new entrance and increased sized stairway. External works including recladding and the addition of new windows and Juliette balconies at Colebrooke Court, The Ridgeway, Hertford SG14 2TL pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Recommended for Approval.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/17/1112/FUL, subject to a Section 106 agreement, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

 

The Head summarised the application and detailed the relevant planning history.  Members were advised of the mix of proposed development which would comprise 100% affordable housing and 100% shared ownership.

 

In reply to a comment from Councillor T Stowe regarding the proposed zinc cladding, the Head confirmed that this was a matter for the building regulations regime rather than the planning system.

 

Councillor P Boylan commented on the windows of the proposed western elevation of Colebrook Court.  He referred to the large size of the proposed windows and sought clarity in respect of the prospect of overlooking.

 

The Head confirmed to Councillor P Ruffles that although he could not give any assurances now, Officers would have a discussion with the applicant regarding waste and recycling collection and storage and the proposed conditions.  The Head also confirmed to the Committee that, in respect of the points that had been raised by Councillor P Boylan regarding building orientation and overlooking, he did not have plans for the adjacent site so was not able to confirm matters and this would have been taken into account when the proposals for the adjacent development site were considered.

 

Councillor P Ruffles proposed and Councillor D Andrews seconded, a motion that in respect of application 3/18/1112/FUL, the Committee support the recommendation for approval subject to Section 106 agreement and the conditions detailed in the report submitted.

 

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

 

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/18/1112/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to a legal agreement and the conditions detailed in the report submitted.

111.

Items for Reporting and Noting pdf icon PDF 37 KB

(A)  Appeals against refusal of Planning Permission/ non?determination.

 

(B)  Planning Appeals Lodged.

 

(C)      Planning Appeals: Inquiry and Informal Hearing Dates.

 

(D)     Planning Statistics.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED – that the following reports be noted:

 

(A)   Appeals against refusal of planning permission / non-determination;

 

(B)       Planning Appeals lodged;

 

(C)       Planning Appeals: Inquiry and Informal Hearing dates; and

 

(D)      Planning Statistics.