Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor P Boylan, R Brunton and M Casey.  It was noted that Councillor P Ballam was substituting for Cllr M Casey.

The Chairman referred to a number of housekeeping issues in relation to the fire alarm, exits, the need to silence mobile devices and the unisex toilets located outside of the Council Chamber.  He reminded Members to speak closely into the microphones to assist people who were sitting in the public gallery.

He welcomed the new Head of Planning and Building Control, Sara Saunders, to her first meeting of the Committee.  He also welcomed Claire Sime and Jenny Pierce as they were closely involved with presenting application 3/18/2253/OUT.  The Chairman welcomed Roger Taylor and Lindsay McCauley from Hertfordshire County Council to the meeting.

The Chairman thanked Officers for their support as this was the last meeting of the 2018/19 civic year.  He thanked the late Councillor M Freeman as the former Vice-Chairman.  He also thanked Councillor B Deering as the current Vice-Chairman and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby as the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 13 February 2019

Councillor J Jones proposed and Councillor J Kaye seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2019, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman stated that a request had been made for a departure from the usual rules regarding public speaking.  He detailed the normal arrangements for public speaking and stated that it had been suggested that a total of 6 minutes be permitted for those who wish to speak in objection to the proposals, in total.

The Chairman stated that the same total period of time would be offered to supporting parties and the relevant Town/Parish Council shall be offered a period of up to 3 minutes each.  Members were being asked to consider and endorse this matter by formal motion.  This would need to be proposed and seconded.

Councillor B Deering proposed and Councillor D Andrews seconded, a motion that a total of 6 minutes be permitted for those who wish to speak in objection to application 3/18/2253/OUT, in total.  The same total period of time would be offered to supporting parties and the relevant Town/Parish Council shall be offered a period of up to 3 minutes each.

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

RESOLVED – that (A) a total of 6 minutes be permitted for those who wished to speak in objection to application 3/18/2253/OUT, in total, and the same total period of time be offered to supporting parties; and

(B)   the relevant Town/Parish Council shall be offered a period of up to 3 minutes each.

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/18/2253/OUT, subject to a legal agreement, planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

The Principal Planning Officer, on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, introduced the report and stated that 38 late representations had been received.  Members were advised that the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) had no objections to the application and were reminded that this was an allocated site in the District Plan.  The proposed site was being planned as an urban extension to Bishop’s Stortford.

The Principal Planning Officer summarised the application and detailed the planning history and the local consultation that had taken place.  Members were advised that this was a hybrid application which included full details for the first 142 dwellings.  Members were provided with full details in respect of the full and outline elements of the proposals.

The Principal Planning Officer detailed the layout of development zone A and the illustrative style of the proposed housing.  She referred to the landscape strategy and advised that a number of orchards, linear parks and play spaces were included as part of the application.  She also referred to the sustainable drainage strategy.

Mr Arnott addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Mr Spencer spoke for the application.  Councillor R Lumsden addressed the Committee as the Chairman of Thorley Parish Council. 

Councillor K Warnell addressed the Committee on behalf of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.  Councillors Mrs D Hollebon and J Wyllie addressed the Committee as local ward Members.

Councillor P Ruffles commented on the integrity and credibility of the master planning process.  Councillor S Bull expressed concerns in respect of the traffic movements and congestion between Whittington Way and Pig Lane.  Councillor J Kaye questioned whether there was a need for a care home, as part of the development proposals.  He expressed concerns that the NHS had not responded to this significant proposed development in terms of a collaborative approach.

Councillor J Jones commented on the site being located outside the Green Belt and within the Parish of Thorley.  He also referred to the highways matters and requested a further opinion from Officers in respect of the highways consultation response.  Councillor M Allen referred to the Master planning process with particular reference to policies BISH4 and BISH5.

The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the site had been removed from the Green Belt and was within the Thorley Parish.  The site would constitute an urban extension to Bishop’s Stortford and the site was allocated for development as per the adopted District Plan. 

Members were advised of the extensive consultation that had taken place and the Officer summarised the proposed access arrangements and sustainable transport routes.  Members were also advised that Manchester Airports Group had indicated that the site was within 10 km of Stansted Airport and they had suggested mitigation measures to avoid increases in large flocking birds.

The Principal Planning Officer stated that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 465.

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that, in respect of application 3/18/1523/FUL, subject to a legal agreement, planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.  The report also recommended that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control to finalise the detail of the Legal Agreement and conditions.

The Service Manager (Development Management), on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, summarised the application which was in accordance with development concepts that were outlined in the Sawbridgeworth Masterplan.  He confirmed that an archaeological condition might not be required by the time the Section 106 legal agreement was concluded.  He further advised that the recommendation was amended to delete reference to the expansion of Mandeville School in the Section 106 legal agreement.

The Service Manager referred Members to paragraph 1.4 in respect of the principle issues for consideration.  He emphasised that Members should consider the overall planning balance and whether the proposal would result in a sustainable form of development.

Mr Brown addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Mr Moore and Mr Butcher spoke for the application.  Councillor A Alder addressed the Committee on behalf of Sawbridgeworth Town Council.  Councillors A Alder and E Buckmaster addressed the Committee as local ward Members.

Councillor J Jones commented on the involvement of Sawbridgeworth Town Council.  He referred to the significance of the increase to 200 dwellings from the site allocation of around 175 dwellings in the development strategy of the 2018 East Herts District Plan.

Councillor J Jones referred to sustainable travel and the ability of the “Sawb Bus” to access the site.  He commented on whether a smaller bus was a possibility and whether a Section 106 contribution towards this, was a viable option.

Councillor J Jones emphasised that the development of 2 major sites close to West Road could lead to conflicts in the phases of construction.  He commented on whether particular mitigation measures were necessary in this regard.

Councillor J Kaye highlighted the importance of car charging points to all dwellings in the proposed development.  The Service Manager commented that Members of Sawbridgeworth Town Council were present at meetings of the Steering Group.  Members were advised that this was a low density development of 20 dwellings per hectare with considerable open space provision and also some affordable housing.

The Service Manager stated that the “Sawb Bus” would be able to navigate the main connecting road through the site and that significant contributions were proposed, including contributions towards the costs of highways mitigation.  Members were also advised that the construction conflicted with a nearby site would be managed by a condition for a construction management plan.  There would be an element of liaison and integration in the construction phases for both sites in Sawbridgeworth.

The Service Manager advised that the parking standard would be met by this application.  He emphasised that a number of properties could accommodate 3 cars and there would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 466.

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/18/1960/FUL, planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

Councillor P Ballam referred to the proximity of the site to the Ware Conservation Area.  She commented that the site was near to the Listed Library and the grade 1 listed Ware Priory.  Councillor J Jones stated that the 3 storey aspect of the proposed development was out of character with the surrounding area.

The Service Manager (Development Management), on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, advised that there had been extensive pre-application discussions that had involved Conservation Officers.  Officers were supportive of the scheme that included the refurbishment of a building of historic interest, thereby securing its future.

The Service Manager stated that the enhancement to the building would provide much needed health facilities.  He referred to the impact of the application on the Ware Conservation Area.

Councillor D Andrews commented on the layout of the proposed parking area.  He referred to the loss 41 spaces for the public that would be lost as a result of the proposed development.

Councillor P Ballam proposed and Councillor P Ruffles seconded, a motion that in respect of application 3/18/1960/FUL, the Committee support the recommendation for approval, subject to 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 3/18/1960/FUL, planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions, detailed in the report submitted.

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

(B)  Planning Appeals Lodged.

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

(D)     Planning Statistics.

The Service Manager (Development Management) advised that Officers had been working to clear a backlog of planning appeals.

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.