Agenda and minutes

It was proposed by Councillor Page and seconded by Councillor Buckmaster that Councillor Stowe be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Development Management Committee for the 2021/22 civic year.

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

RESOLVED – that Councillor Stowe be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Development Management Committee for the 2021/22 civic year.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Andrews, Kemp and Redfern.  It was noted that Councillor Devonshire was substituting for Councillor Kemp.

The Chairman explained the COVID-19 protocols that had been put in place for the safe conduct of in person meetings in the Council Chamber. He explained in detail the protocols that should be followed by all.

The Head of Planning and Building Control said that there had been a steady increase in planning applications over the last 6 months and this appeared to be a nationwide trend. She said that Officers were working to maintain standards and there were some delays due to the volume of work being submitted. Members would be kept informed on a monthly basis.

The Chairman said he had been made aware of some comments being circulated and stated that he wanted to make it very clear that the ethos of the Development Management Committee was non-political and Members were not voting under instruction from a party whip. He said that all of the decision making of the Committee was based on upon planning policy and planning law.

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 21 April 2021

Councillor Beckett proposed and Councillor Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2021 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 21 April 2021, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/20/2481/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted. It was also recommended that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Building Control to finalise the conditions.

The Interim Development Management Team Leader, on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, said that the site was bounded directly to the north by Park Road and was separated from residential properties by an existing tree buffer.

Members were advised of the planning history of the site and were also advised that the site was a designated employment area under District Plan policy Ware 3. The Interim Development Management Team Leader said that the key issues regarding this application were as follows:

·               Employment provision

·               Design and neighbour amenity

·               Access

·               Parking and transport

·               Flood risk

·               Climate change

·               Water efficiency and environmental quality

·               Biodiversity

·               Natural environment and heritage assets

Members were advised that the principle of this development within the employment area was acceptable and was in line with the Development Plan. The Officer referred to landscaping and new planting that would be secured by condition. Members were advised that the proposed development complied with the District Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The Officer advised that there would be a neutral impact in respect of trip generation as staff would be relocated to this building. Members were advised that conditions would secure a construction management plan and conditions would also cover the review of the existing travel plan.

Members were advised that the sustainable drainage could be achieved on the site in accordance with the SUDS hierarchy and a minimum reduction of carbon had been calculated at 3.9% for this development. Solar panels were also proposed and the building would be connected to an existing combined heat and power plant.

The Interim Development Management Team Leader said that water management technology and water saving devices would be installed. A condition was recommended that the development was constructed in accordance with the sustainable construction, energy and water statement.

Members were advised that a phase 2 contamination report had revealed no viable pollutant linkages and therefore an unsuspected contamination condition had been proposed. The development proposed a biodiversity net gain of 11.45%, and this compliant with the Environment Bill and the District Plan.

The Interim Development Management Team Leader said that heritage assets and archaeology could be appropriately investigated and the conditions stipulated that development could commence on areas of the site where investigations had already been completed.

Members were advised that there were no identified conflicts with the development plan and the scheme was considered to be a sustainable form of development and Officers were recommending approval subject to the conditions in the report. 

Mr Pope and Mr Goldfarb addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Kaye referred to paragraph 1.7 of the report and welcomed the landscaping that was being proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/20/1931/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and the conditions detailed at the end of the report submitted and delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Building Control to finalise the detail of the Section 106 legal agreement and conditions.

The Development Management Team Manager, on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, drew the attention of the Committee to the late representations summary. She apologised to Councillor Goodeve as her comments on the application were not included in the report  and Members were advised that these comments were now included in this summary.

The Development Management Team Leader summarised the other matters that were covered in the late representations summary. She detailed the application and advised Members of its location just outside of Hertford Town Centre. She advised that the former Gates garage was a Sui Generis use located off Gascoyne Way and the proposed use would be new use class E (g) (i).

Members were advised that the site had been marketed for employment use for a period of approximately 20 months and there had been no interest, due to the number of residential uses that surrounded the site and due to poor vehicular access.

The Development Management Team Leader said that the site would be an employment use and would be marginally reduced in terms of site area. The floor space would be increased internally by 97 square metres. Members were advised that there would be 5 office units ranging from 118 to 124 square metres plus the former car show room at 318 square metres.

Members were advised that Officers were proposing a condition to restrict the use of the employment to use classes E (g) (i), E (g) (ii) and E (g) (iii) so that the Office uses could not change to the general E class uses. The Officer said that these 3 use classes could take place close to residential properties without causing harm to local amenities.

The Development Management Team Leader said that the garages would be conditioned to ensure they were retained for vehicle accommodation. She said that Officers were aware that parking was a problem in this area and adequate parking was proposed as part of the scheme.

Members were advised that a travel plan had been proposed for the office use only and a car club was proposed for general use and there would be cycle parking. Members were also advised that funding had been secured for a residents parking zone in this area and the proposal was policy compliant in respect of a proposed reduction of 16% in carbon dioxide over and above the building control standard.

Mrs Oldham addressed the Committee in opposition to the application. Councillor Goodeve addressed the Committee as a local ward Member.

Councillor Ruffles said that he was grateful for all the attention that had been paid to the various  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

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

(B)  Planning Appeals Lodged.

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

(D)     Planning Statistics.

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.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration and is not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information.

There was no urgent business.