Issue - meetings

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/20/1931/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and the conditions detailed at the end of the report submitted and delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Building Control to finalise the detail of the Section 106 legal agreement and conditions.

The Development Management Team Manager, on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, drew the attention of the Committee to the late representations summary. She apologised to Councillor Goodeve as her comments on the application were not included in the report  and Members were advised that these comments were now included in this summary.

The Development Management Team Leader summarised the other matters that were covered in the late representations summary. She detailed the application and advised Members of its location just outside of Hertford Town Centre. She advised that the former Gates garage was a Sui Generis use located off Gascoyne Way and the proposed use would be new use class E (g) (i).

Members were advised that the site had been marketed for employment use for a period of approximately 20 months and there had been no interest, due to the number of residential uses that surrounded the site and due to poor vehicular access.

The Development Management Team Leader said that the site would be an employment use and would be marginally reduced in terms of site area. The floor space would be increased internally by 97 square metres. Members were advised that there would be 5 office units ranging from 118 to 124 square metres plus the former car show room at 318 square metres.

Members were advised that Officers were proposing a condition to restrict the use of the employment to use classes E (g) (i), E (g) (ii) and E (g) (iii) so that the Office uses could not change to the general E class uses. The Officer said that these 3 use classes could take place close to residential properties without causing harm to local amenities.

The Development Management Team Leader said that the garages would be conditioned to ensure they were retained for vehicle accommodation. She said that Officers were aware that parking was a problem in this area and adequate parking was proposed as part of the scheme.

Members were advised that a travel plan had been proposed for the office use only and a car club was proposed for general use and there would be cycle parking. Members were also advised that funding had been secured for a residents parking zone in this area and the proposal was policy compliant in respect of a proposed reduction of 16% in carbon dioxide over and above the building control standard.

Mrs Oldham addressed the Committee in opposition to the application. Councillor Goodeve addressed the Committee as a local ward Member.

Councillor Ruffles said that he was grateful for all the attention that had been paid to the various  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25