Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors S Bull, G Lawrence and T Page.  It was noted that Councillors N Symonds and G Williamson were in attendance as substitutes for Councillors T Page and S Bull respectively.

The Chairman welcomed the press and public to the meeting.  She stated that the meeting was being videoed and the subsequent recording would be posted on the Council’s website in due course.

Recommended for Approval.

The following people addressed the Committee in objection to the application:

·                          Alan Brierley

·                          Richard Browne

·                          Ann Brereton

·                          Brian Edwards, on behalf of the   Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation

The following people addressed the Committee in support of the application:

·                          Helen Cuthbert

·                          DavidSciberras.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, subject to the applicant entering into an agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in respect of application 3/12/0554/OP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

The Director referred to the additional representation schedule for the representations received since the publication of the Committee report.  He stated that the public speakers had made reference too many of the relevant issues, such as the highways and amenity impact and accessibility.  Members must now judge whether the perceived harm that would result from this application was outweighed by the beneficial impacts.

Members were advised that the general theme of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was that significant weight should be applied to the provision of new community infrastructure projects and Officers had weighed such policies against the likely harmful impacts of the application.

Councillor G McAndrew, as the local ward Member, addressed the Committee in support of the application.  He welcomed the opportunity for additional medical facilities that would benefit the heart of the sporting community of Bishop’s Stortford.  Councillor G McAndrew stressed that the new surgery would have disabled parking and was fully DDA compliant.

Councillor G McAndrew stated that there would be no significant increase in traffic and any increase would likely be covered by public transport and the private car.  He commented that the existing South Street surgery had no parking and there was no dedicated parking for the medical facilities at Thorley Park.

Councillor G McAndrew commented that blood test services only currently available at the Herts and Essex Community Hospital would become available at Silverleys, as well as a variety of other services not currently available at the South Street Surgery.  He stated that the South Street Surgery would remain open for 4 years after the new surgery had opened.

Councillor G McAndrew concluded that the proposed facility would offer a substantially enhanced working environment for patients and for the doctors and other staff.  He stated that the building had been designed for maximum possible privacy, tree planting would reduce noise and there was no danger of harm to protected species.

Councillor G Jones, as the other local ward Member, stated that parking was a major concern as the Silverleys site was busy, particularly at weekends with sporting events.  He commented that there was no suggestion that the proposed medical centre would be closed at weekends, thereby further adding to parking pressures on the site.

Councillor G Jones referred to the accessibility issue and stated that, although some dwellings were within walking distance of the site, a majority would use cars as public transport to the site was limited.  He stressed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 327.

Recommended for Approval.

Ann Brereton addressed the Committee against the application.  Richard Coke spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/12/0873/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

The Director referred Members to the late representations schedule that had been circulated to Members.  Councillor N Symonds stated that this site was Brownfield land and she was keen to see this site brought into use as soon as possible.

Councillor N Symonds, as the local ward Member, commented that this site would allow local residents, including those in nearby social housing, as well as those at the Havers Estate, to walk to a doctor’s surgery.  She referred to an easier situation in terms of public transport, in particular the two bus routes that served this location.

Councillor N Symonds referred to the route from St Michael’s Mead and the Hail and Ride Bus that also served the Herts and Essex Community Hospital.  She stated that this bus had wheelchair access and a carer often travelled on the bus to assist disabled users.

Councillor G Williamson referred to the comments of the Highways Officer in that, given the high staff numbers and relatively limited parking, a robust Green Travel Plan would be essential to ensure that sustainable modes of transport were used, to ensure that patients had access to an appropriate level of parking.

The Director stated that Officers had recommended an additional condition stipulating that, prior to the first occupation of any part of the development, a Green Travel Plan should be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

In response to a query from Councillor A Burlton, the Director advised that Officers had submitted a report to the meeting of the Committee on 12 September 2012, to ask that, if application 3/11/2137/SV had been determined, a variation of the Section 106 agreement to remove a £125,000 financial contribution towards the Bishop’s Stortford Transportation Plan, would have been approved.

However, the Committee had resolved not to waive that Section 106 contribution and the expectation was that this Section 106 funding would be available.  The Director advised however, that there had been an appeal against non determination of this application and the issue of the Section 106 agreement was on hold pending the outcome of that appeal.

In response to a further query from Councillor A Burlton, the Director gave further details of the proposals comprised in this application when compared to those of the application previously under consideration.

Members were advised that application 3/12/0873/FP would provide reception and waiting rooms, approximately 15 consulting rooms, 5 treatment rooms, a minor operating theatre, sports injury clinic, physiotherapy unit, staff accommodation, meeting rooms, administration office and a pharmacy.  The applicant had also indicated that the total number of permanent staff likely to be employed was 55.

The Director referred to the public transport links and stated that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 328.