Agenda and minutes

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

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No. Item

286.

Appointment of Vice-Chairman

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Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor D Andrews and seconded by Councillor R Fernando that Councillor T Stowe be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Development Management Committee for the remainder of the 2019/20 civic year.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that Councillor T Stowe be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Development Management Committee for the remainder of the 2019/20 civic year.

287.

Chairman's Announcements

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Minutes:

The Chairman referred to a number of housekeeping issues.

288.

Minutes - 4 December 2019 pdf icon PDF 53 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 4 December 2019.

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Minutes:

Councillor T Beckett proposed and Councillor R Fernando seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 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 4 December 2019, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

289.

3/19/1882/FUL - Demolition of western part of Leisure Centre and northern part of plant building. Construction of 2 storey extension to leisure centre incorporating a ground floor café with outside seating and construction of 1 detached substation. Rearrangement of part of car park and cycle storage at Hartham Leisure Centre, Hartham Lane, Hertford pdf icon PDF 192 KB

Recommended for Approval

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Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/19/1882/FUL, 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, said the proposed development would represent a 60% increase in size over the original building.  She referred to an extensive design process that had resulted in an acceptable form of development which related well to the existing building.

 

The Principal Planning Officer said the application met a local recreational need and she referred to benefits in terms of health and wellbeing.  Members were advised that the application constituted inappropriate development in the Green Belt due to its size and that there would be less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area, due to the loss of mature trees to the west, but that the public benefits of the scheme were sufficient to outweigh the identified limited harm.  She concluded by reminding Members of the recommendation for approval subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted.

 

Mr Norman addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Mr Lindus spoke for the application.  Councillor B Deering read out a statement from Councillor S Newton as the local ward Member.

 

Councillor P Ruffles highlighted the comments of the Landscape Officer and the suggested landscape conditions.  He asked whether these suggestions would be adopted and incorporated into the conditions; whether a ward Member could work with Officers in respect of fulfilling the planning conditions; and whether the application would tie in with future emerging neighbourhood plans.

 

Councillor J Jones said the proposed development needed improvements in design in such a prominent location.  He said the harm was not outweighed by the benefits and the Council should be promoting good design principles.  Councillor D Andrews said that the design needed to be of a high standard because of the proximity of the site to a residential area.  He said the Authority should be setting a high standard in respect of sustainability of design.

 

Councillor C Redfern said the external appearance of the proposed development was dour and disappointing.  The Principal Planning Officer said that there would be landscaping to screen the western elevation.  She commented on the standards for the building design and referred to policies in respect of carbon emissions.

 

Councillor T Page raised the matter of the thought process of the Landscape Officer.  He referred in particular to the proposed landscaping and archaeological investigations. 

 

Councillor B Crystall said he supported the principle of the proposed development.  However energy sustainability was an issue and possible major refits might be required to make the proposed works carbon neutral.  Heating and lighting cost reductions and a design that would allow retrofitting of features such as solar panels would improve the proposed development.

 

The Principal Planning Officer said the existing building was part of the problem in that it did not meet existing new model building regulations.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 289.

290.

3/19/2218/FUL - Change of use of part of the ground floor from B1 (Office/light industrial) to D2 (fitness centre) for a temporary period of 3 years together with associated elevational alterations including provision of new entrance doors and access ramp, ventilation louvres, lighting and 3 AC condensers at Biomarsh House, 8 Fountain Drive, Hertford, SG13 7UB pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Recommended for Approval

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Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/19/2218/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

 

The Service Manager (Development Management), on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, summarised the application, which sought planning permission for the proposed development for a temporary period of three years, whilst the intended refurbishment and extension of Hartham Leisure Centre was undertaken.  Members were advised that the condition giving three year temporary use could be amended to ensure that the use would only commence if the Leisure Centre proposals (application 3/19/1882/FUL) were approved.

 

Councillor P Ruffles proposed and Councillor J Jones seconded, a motion that in respect of application 3/19/2218/FUL, the Committee support the recommendation for approval, subject to the conditions detailed in the report, and amended as proposed by the Service Manager (Development Management).

 

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 3/19/2218/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted, and an amended condition 1 to link the 3 year temporary use to permission for refurbishment and extension of Hartham Leisure Centre.

291.

3/19/2313/FUL - Refurbishment of play area including alterations to railings, proposed new paths, play equipment, safety surfacing and signage at Hartham Common Play Area, Hartham Lane, Hertford, SG14 1QR pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Recommended for Approval.

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Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/19/2313/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

 

The Service Manager (Development Management), on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, apologised for the incorrect reference to Bishop’s Stortford Town Council in paragraph 6.1 of the report.  This should have read Hertford Town Council.

 

Members were advised that most of the proposed works constituted permitted development.  The Service Manager (Development Management) said the proposed height was 7 metres to the highest point and 6 metres to the gangway and planning permission was therefore required.  He confirmed that there was no conflict with green belt policy and the scheme was recommended for approval.

 

The Chairman read out a statement on behalf of Councillor S Newton as the local ward Member.  The Service Manager (Development Management) responded to a number of minor queries from Members.

 

Councillor T Beckett proposed and Councillor R Buckmaster seconded, a motion that in respect of application 3/19/2313/FUL, the Committee support the recommendation for approval, subject to the conditions detailed in the report now 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 3/19/2313/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted.

292.

Items for Reporting and Noting pdf icon PDF 31 KB

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

 

(B)  Planning Appeals Lodged.

 

(C)      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.