Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/17/1861/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

The Head referred to a petition objecting to the application where no grounds of objection had been detailed.  Councillor P Boylan referred to damage to the access road to the recycling site in the form of potholes.  He felt that there should be a resolution to this issue as the road would get progressively worse and worse.  He also commented on the outcome of the receipt of a revised drainage strategy.

Councillor S Bull welcomed the application for B1 business use class units and he hoped that they would be taken up.  He expressed concerns about the potholes near the amenity tip.  He also referred to the significant 15 foot drop in ground level to the river and the pavement was narrow and dangerous for pedestrians.

Councillor J Jones commented on the planning history on the widening of Aspenden Road and upgrading of internal roads and a contribution towards a community bus.  He felt that whilst the applicant here could not be asked to fund improvements to Aspenden Road, the applicant should be responsible for the upkeep of the wider road network within the Watermill Industrial Estate.

Councillor D Andrews referred to the access road as unsafe.  He felt that supporting this application with the access road in its current state was untenable.  He referred to the potential for 120 vehicle movements per day.

The Head referred to condition 10 and the requirements of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).  Members were advised that a condition to secure the management of the area to the north of the proposed units would be acceptable.  The Head and the Interim Legal Services Manager responded to queries from Members regarding the viability tests for conditions regarding the resurfacing of internal roads within this site.

Councillor J Jones proposed and Councillor M Casey seconded, a motion that in respect of application 3/17/1861/FUL, the Committee support the recommendation for approval subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted and subject to the access road though the Watermill Industrial Estate from the junction with Aspenden Road being repaired and surfaced to a satisfactory standard and prior to first occupation of the development, a management plan for the treatment and maintenance of the undeveloped land to the north of the new buildings and the car parking area shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.  The Committee accepted the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Building Control as now submitted, subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted and the two additional conditions now detailed.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/17/1861/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted and the following two additional conditions:

23.      Prior to first occupation of the development herby approved the access road though the Watermill Industrial Estate from the junction with Aspenden Road to the application shall be repaired and surfaced to a satisfactory standard in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of securing safe and secure access to the site in accordance with paragraph 32 of The National Planning Policy Framework.

24.      Prior to first occupation of the development hereby approved a management plan for the treatment and maintenance of the undeveloped land to the north of the new buildings and car park shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the land shall be treated and maintained in accordance with the approved management plan.

Reason: To achieve good design and a sustainable form of development in accordance with Policy ENV1 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007 and the National Planning Policy Framework.