Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors V Burt and A Holt. It was noted that Councillor M Connolly was substituting for Councillor V Burt and Councillor S Bull was substituting for Councillor A Holt.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 20 September 2023.

Councillor Copley proposed and Councillor Devonshire seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment to minute 147:

Councillor Estop said that she had referred to footpath E2 that had not been included in footway improvements in condition 19.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2023, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment to minute 147:

Councillor Estop said that she had referred to footpath E2 that had not been included in footway improvements in condition 19.

Recommended for Approval.

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/23/0579/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.

The Chairman said that she wanted to put on the public record that yesterday (5^th December 2023) Members of the Development Management Committee had been sent via email a “Councillor Briefing Note” on Pinewood School Planning for our Future” by Rebecca Darling of Stonyrock.

She said that Officers had reviewed the briefing note and had confirmed that the content merely related to a summary of the proposals which were covered off in the presenting officer’s report and presentation. There was no new information contained in this note.

The Chairman said that, for the purposes of transparency, she would ask for a show of hands in a moment from members who have read the briefing note. She would then ask each member who had raised their hand to confirm that they have come to the committee this evening with an open mind to determine the application.

The Chairman said that no new information was contained in the note. Councillors Buckmaster, Bull, Copley, Dunlop, Stowe and Watson all confirmed that they had read the briefing note and had come to the meeting with an open mind to determine the application.

The Team Leader (Strategic Applications - Development Management) presented the application to the Committee and summarised in detail the main issues for Members to consider. He detailed the location of the site and presented Members with a detailed set of elevation drawings and electronic plans.

The Team Leader (Strategic Applications - Development Management) detailed the dominant materials that were intended to be used and presented a series of CGI images of the proposed development. Members were reminded that the site fell within the Ware Neighbourhood Plan area.

The Team Leader (Strategic Applications - Development Management) referred in detail to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) considerations that had been considered when the application had been prepared. Members were advised that the building would achieve a net zero carbon impact in operation at handover and a fabric first architectural principle had been applied.

The Team Leader (Strategic Applications - Development Management) said that neither the Arboricultural Officer nor the Landscape Officer had raised objections to the application. Members were advised that there would be a 17.7% net gain in biodiversity on the site. A community use strategy would be conditioned to cover the community use of the sports facilities.

Members were advised that Officers felt that very special circumstances had been demonstrated to justify provision of development within the green belt. Officers felt that the application can and should be determined favourably notwithstanding the conflict with the development plan. Officers felt that the application should be approved subject to conditions.

Mr Bob Robinson addressed the committee in support of the application.

Councillor Carter asked about the anticipated lifespan of the proposed new buildings. She commented on the matter of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 246.

(A)  Appeals against refusal of Planning Permission/ non?determination.

(B)  Planning Appeals Lodged.

(C)      Planning Appeals: Inquiry and Informal Hearing Dates.

(D)     Planning Statistics.

RESOLVED – that the following reports be noted:

(A)   Appeals against refusal of planning permission / non-determination;

(B)        Planning Appeals lodged;

(C)        Planning Appeals: Inquiry and Informal Hearing Dates; and

(D)       Planning Statistics.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration and is not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information.

There was no urgent business.