Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Catherine Dove addressed the Committee in support of the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that in respect of application 3/15/0413/FUL, subject to the applicant or successor in title entering into a legal obligation pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

The Director advised that a scheme for 107 dwellings plus a commercial unit had already been approved for this site and preparatory works had commenced to implement that permission.  Members were advised of the details of this revised scheme which included an increase to 120 units and a revised parking layout to accommodate 8 additional spaces. 

Members were referred to the revised conditions and the additional representations summary.  The Director concluded that few new issues were raised by this application as the principle had already been established by the previously approved scheme.

In reply to a query from Councillor A McNeece, the Director confirmed that the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had not come back to Officers in respect of how the financial contribution of £370,035.60 would be utilised.

Councillor P Ruffles stated that he was broadly supportive of the application.  He disagreed with the public speaker’s statement that the application was vastly improved and he considered that the revised scheme represented a tolerable change.  He stressed the importance of ensuring that the new link road kept traffic away from the entrance to Dicker Mill.

Councillor Ruffles requested that Officers ensure that light materials were used that matched the development on the other side of Mill Road.  He emphasised that the bins located between the conservation area and the Grade 2 listed Hertford East Station should be moved so as not to be adjacent to the proposed development.

Councillor K Brush stated that this was an entirely sustainable and modest application in the middle of the town where there were excellent transportation links.  He concluded that the 75% social rent provision was very good and this was a highly desirable improvement.

The Director reminded Members that a condition covering samples of materials had been included as part of the recommendation.  The Committee was also reminded of the high quality of materials that had been used on adjoining developments.

The Director stated that the details of the road junctions were covered by a condition that these details should be agreed with the Highway Authority and Officers were aware of the importance of securing a high quality development for this site.  As regards the bins, Members were advised that depending on the location of the bins, this issue would be covered by the discharge of conditions or via Planning Enforcement.

In response to a number of queries from Councillor M Casey, the Director confirmed that the application included the substantial figure of 40% affordable housing and all of the Section 106 figures had come from the various relevant departments and consultees at Hertfordshire County Council.  The Director confirmed that the Section 106 figures covered the whole development of 120 dwellings.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the Committee accepted the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/15/0413/FUL, subject to the applicant or successor in title entering into a legal obligation pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted and as further amended by the details set out in the additional representations summary.