Agenda item

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/18/1227/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

The Head advised Members of the importance of the application in the context of an ageing population and the location of the site within the development known as St Michael’s Hurst.  The site was also in close proximity to a well laid out park that was already in place.

Mr Wood addressed the Committee in support of the application.  Councillor P Ruffles sought clarification on the status in planning terms of the local linkages for future occupants of the proposed care home.

Councillor J Kaye commented on the absence of healthcare facilities with the proposed development.  He queried where these facilities would be located for the residents.  Councillor T Stowe referred to the 18 parking spaces on offer when the policy requirement was for 17.  He commented on whether parking was required for the staff who would work at the proposed residential care home.

Councillor P Boylan commented on whether the matters of bin collections, traffic and parking could be resolved by amending the planning conditions.  He referred to the anticipated 3 miles radius catchment area and emphasised that local care home placements were hard to come by particularly as Bishop’s Stortford was surrounded by rural communities where there were no residential care homes.

The Head confirmed that the value of the application in planning terms due to a rapidly ageing population and the need for professional services not available to residents being cared for at home.  Members were reminded that a 3 mile wide area encompassed a number of communities outside Bishop’s Stortford and larger towns and villages would increasingly providing care home services.

In respect of car parking, the Head confirmed that the standard ratio of spaces for the number of bedrooms had been applied and the requirement for worker and visitor parking had been taken into account.  Members were advised that 17 or 18 spaces was ample based on precedents provided by the applicants.  The applicants have a staff travel plan and most staff would live locally and would be likely to cycle or use public transport.  In respect of visitors, they could visit at any time of day, which avoids any significant peaks.

The Head emphasised that there would be sufficient turning space for fire tenders and refuse vehicles to enter and leave the site in forward gear.  The refuse vehicles would be able to park in close proximity to the bins.

Members were advised that Officers did not feel that on site healthcare was essential as local support was in place as residents registered with local GP services would receive the same level of service with their registered GP practices.  A nurse’s room would be available and Officers were aware that both Church Street and South Street surgeries were looking for additional larger premises, which may increase local availability.

The Head responded to a query from the Chairman regarding the 66 uniformed size single bedrooms by stating that this accommodation would provide sufficient space for those that needed to stay at the care home.

Councillor D Andrews stressed that this site was well served by the 510 bus and this was due to be diverted to go through the development known as St Michael’s Hurst.  The Head confirmed that this diversion had been planned before this application had come forward and the planned diversion had fed into the Section 106 agreement for the wider development.  The commercial consideration for the bus company was covering costs and residents were being encouraged with bus passes and other support from Countryside Properties.

The Head confirmed to Councillor B Deering that the rooms at the proposed care home would be occupied by single persons only who required high levels of care such as in cases of dementia.  Other providers made double rooms available and experience proved that people on their own were the most vulnerable.

Councillor M Allen proposed and Councillor R Brunton seconded, a motion that in respect of application 3/18/1227/FUL, the Committee support the recommendation for approval subject to the conditions detailed in the report 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 3/18/1227/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted.