Agenda item

Petition (A) – Planning Decisions on Ware Road, Hertford

A petition on behalf of the Kingsmead Residents Action Group had been submitted as follows:

We, the residents of Ware Road, Hertford and all roads in the surrounding area, request that East Herts District Local Planning Authority impose an immediate suspension on all planning decisions that involve residential parking provision, and call on Hertfordshire County Council Highways to complete their comprehensive traffic and parking study as soon as possible – to look in detail at the serious problems we are experiencing in relation to road safety, resulting from congestion, problem parking and speeding vehicles.

Karen Johns, on behalf of the Kingsmead Residents Action Group, addressed the meeting.  She advised that 335 signatures had been collected in support of the petition, which had arisen as a result of the increased parking and traffic problems which had occurred since the Liberty Rise development had been completed.  She argued that this development had been permitted without adequate parking provision, which had caused the overspill of parking onto Ware Road.  This had resulted in numerous scrapes, near misses and one serious accident.  She referred to the impact on safety for cyclists, children and pedestrians in general.

In response, the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support commented that the Council could not suspend determining planning applications, as it was required to consider these within statutory deadlines.  She referred to the applicant’s right of appeal if these deadlines were not met and the associated risks for local decision-making.

The Executive Member recognised the concerns raised and stated that the lessons learned will be factored in when considering future applications within existing planning policies and guidelines.  In respect of the County Council’s study, she advised that Highways Officers were currently agreeing the scope for the study and that the survey would be undertaken in September when the schools had reopened.  The results of the study would be received by Christmas 2017, and hopefully, would identify appropriate measures to deal with the problems highlighted.

Councillor J Goodeve, as a local ward member, welcomed the Executive Member’s response and looked forward to receiving the County Council’s study.

Petition (B) – Save Leventhorpe Swimming Pool

Elizabeth Hall, a resident of Sawbridgeworth, had submitted a petition as follows:

We the undersigned petition the Council to continue to support the funding for Leventhorpe swimming pool in Sawbridgeworth.  This facility is highly valued asset to the town.  EHDC are considering stopping its financial support of the Leventhorpe swimming pool in favour of an improved complex in Bishop’s Stortford.  However, this would have a detrimental impact upon the community of Sawbridgeworth.  Our children would lose access to swimming lessons within our town.  Our community would have an increased journey to access leisure facilities which would be detrimental.

Elizabeth Hall, on behalf of Sawbridgeworth residents, addressed the meeting.  She advised that 2094 signatures had been collected in support of what had been a very emotive petition.  Local residents were concerned that they might lose a valuable local facility and she had received many calls from concerned residents detailing how the proposal would affect them personally.  Elderly residents did not consider it viable to travel to either Bishop’s Stortford or Harlow.  There was ongoing concern about the dangers of children using the local canal and how a closure might exacerbate this.  Parents wanted their children to learn to swim in a safe environment and to avoid any tragedy.  She also referred to Leventhorpe pool as a focus for the community and how it had helped her own family circumstances.

In response, the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing thanked the petitioner for her impassioned statement and congratulated her for the number of signatures collected.  He referred to a Member’s question and the Leisure Strategy later in the agenda when he would be making a fuller statement.  He commented that the Council understood that the proposals in the Leisure Strategy report were challenging.  The Council had considered the views of the public and would look at amending the recommendation in respect of Leventhorpe Pool this evening.

Councillor A Alder, as a local ward member, endorsed the Executive Member’s comments relating to the enthusiasm of the petitioners.

Petition (C) – Save Fanshawe Pool and Gym

A petition on behalf of Ware Swimming Club had been submitted as follows: 

Fanshawe currently teaches many people in the community to swim, has a popular gym and is home to a swimming club with 170 members. The closure of Fanshawe would be a major blow to our town and we urge the Council to find the funding to keep it open.

Nicola Rix, the Secretary of Ware Swimming Club, addressed the meeting.  She advised that almost 4000 signatures had been collected in support of the petition, which she hoped demonstrated the strength of feeling and the value placed on Fanshawe.  She referred to the discussions with the Council in recent days when it had emerged that a revised recommendation would come forward.  This was pleasing, but now the residents looked forward to the consultation.  She believed that residents needed to see detailed information on the options available, including financial information.  Details of the different groups that used the facility were needed as a variety of people, young and old, relied on Fanshawe for the range of activities available.

Nicola Rix also commented that a new commercial agreement could increase the income generated at the facility.  She questioned the ability of Hartham to handle the additional volume of people that would be displaced if Fanshawe closed.  Finally, she commented on whether the local community could afford to lose such a valuable asset and pleaded for the Council to listen to local residents and to invest in Fanshawe.

In response, the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing thanked the petitioner for her comprehensive statement.  He referred to a Member’s question and the Leisure Strategy later in the agenda when he would be making a fuller statement.  He commented that the Council understood that the proposals in the Leisure Strategy report were challenging.  The Council had considered the views of the public and would look at amending the recommendation in respect of Fanshawe Pool and Gym this evening.

Councillor J Kaye, as a local Ware Member, expressed his hope that a satisfactory solution could be identified.