Agenda item

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/18/2731/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

Councillor P Ruffles said that he was unclear as to the location of the existing public right of way referred to in condition 15 of the report submitted.  The Principal Planning Officer, on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, advised that the public right of way highlighted in condition 15 was not actually within the site and was to the east.

The Principal Planning Officer stated that she was asking for condition to be removed as it had been incorrectly added to the list of conditions.  This condition had been requested by Hertfordshire County Council to protect the public right of way during construction.

Members were advised of an additional condition that was referred to in the report at paragraph 8.13 but was missing from the list of conditions.  This related to the access to Harris’s Lane which would be an access for emergency and construction vehicles only.  This had been restricted by condition on the previous approval and a similar condition was recommended by Officers for this application.

Councillor T Stowe expressed concerns in respect of the amended time limit of 5 years detailed in the conditions.  He said he supported employment but would welcome some clarification as a lot could change in 5 years.

The Principal Planning Officer stated that a previous consent had been granted for 3 years and that permission had not been implemented.  The applicant had requested 5 years due to uncertainty about a timescale for the commencement of development.  A further permission for 3 years could result in the Committee having to determine another renewal of planning permission at that time.  Officers had taken on board the issue of sustainability and had included a condition covering the sustainability credentials of the application.

Councillor J Kaye referred to the comments of the Hertfordshire County Council Historic Environment Unit and advice that the scheme would impact upon heritage assets of archaeological importance.  He said that this has been addressed within the report submitted by Officers.

Councillor Kaye highlighted the points made by Ware Town Council in that the developed and investment in Ware was welcomed subject to conditions regarding construction hours to minimise disruption to residents, with no deliveries at weekends and conditions to ensure safety of access to Park Road.  He concluded that he was encouraged by the proposed 37 replacement native trees and a holly hedge that would reach a maximum height of 1.8 metres.

The Principal Planning Officer stated that a construction management condition was proposed and Officers would take advice from Environmental Health and Hertfordshire County Council highways in respect of deliveries and delivery hours to this site in evenings and at weekends.

Councillor B Crystall referred to a traffic regulation order (TRO) and he also referred to the very thorough Transport Statement.  He commented on whether the TRO would prevent parents and residents from parking on Park Road during the construction period and whether this would have a knock on effect on other streets.

Councillor Crystall questioned whether a condition could be possible to permit parents to park during the construction phase.  He also referred to there being no new parking but asked whether a condition was possible to cover the provision of electric car charging points for the employees who would use this site.

The Principal Planning Officer advised that the TRO was being looked after by Hertfordshire County Council and she was unclear what this would entail.  Members were advised that the red outline of this application site did not include the parking area so conditions could not be imposed regarding electric car charging points. 

It was moved by Councillor A Huggins and seconded by Councillor J Jones that the application be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted with condition 15 being deleted and a condition being added on the basis of the access shown on to Harris’s Lane being used for construction purposes in association with the development hereby approved and thereafter shall be used solely for emergency access only.

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.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/18/2731/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted with condition 15 being deleted and the following condition being added:

15.  The access shown on to Harris’s Lane shall be used for construction purposes in association with the development hereby approved and thereafter shall be used solely for emergency access only.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety in accordance with policy TRA2 of the East Herts District Plan 2018.