Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted from Councillor Burt. It was noted that Councillor Connolly was substituting for Councillor Burt.

The Chair reminded everyone to use the microphones when speaking as the meeting was being webcasted.

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 23 October 2024.

Councillor Devonshire proposed and Councillor Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2024, be confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chair.

The Chair invited Members to consider whether they wished to extend public speaking timed slots to 6 minutes. He said that under paragraph 6.5.5 of the constitution, the committee can depart as it sees fit from the speaking arrangements on certain applications. The Committee Support Officer explained that the extended timed slots would be shared in the usual way and all speakers were aware of this. He said that the committee would need to vote on a formal motion if they wished to extend the time.

Councillor Copley proposed and Councillor Stowe seconded, a motion that in accordance with paragraph 6.5.5 in Section 6 (Regulatory Committees) of the constitution, the committee agree to depart from the speaking arrangements of the Development Management Committee, to increase the total speaking time to 6 minutes for the objectors, the applicant, and the town council speaker in respect of application 3/24/0294/FUL.

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

RESOLVED – that in accordance with paragraph 6.5.5 in Section 6 (Regulatory Committees) of the constitution, the committee agreed to depart from the speaking arrangements of the Development Management Committee, to allow public speakers to address the committee for 6 minutes in respect of application 3/24/0294/FUL.

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/24/0294/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.

The Principal Planning Officer said that the application proposals were a hybrid planning application with part of the proposals submitted in full details. He referred to the vehicle entrance into the site and the medical centre, and the details of the associated drainage attenuation basin. The remaining outline details were the proposed 200 dwellings.

The Principal Planning Officer set out in detail the key issues for Members to consider. As part of this summary, Members were presented with a series of plans and elevation drawings and the Principal Planning Officer detailed the planning history of the site and referred Members to the late representations.

Mr Stephen Baker and Hertfordshire County Councillor Jeff Jones addressed the Committee in objection to the application. Mr Steven Kosky and Mr Kumar Muhkajee addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillors Burt, Nicholls and Woollcombe addressed the committee as the local ward Members.

The Committee debated the application and asked questions of the Planning Officers. The Officers responded in detail to the questions raised by Members. The Principal Planning Officer explained that the tilted balance was a big consideration for the Committee in terms of the 5-year housing land supply.

Councillor Copley asked about the possibility of a deferral pending further discussions with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding whether the medical centre would go forward. She also mentioned the consultation in respect of the agricultural land.

The Principal Planning Officer said that the consideration of other sites for the medical practice had been ongoing for some time, and this would not be sufficient grounds for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 232.

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.