Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors Hill and Marlow. It was noted that Councillor Adams was substituting for Councillor Marlow.

The Chairman welcomed everyone present at the meeting and those that there watching online. He introduced the Officers and reminded everyone to use the microphones for the webcast.

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 19 June 2024.

Councillor Devonshire proposed and Councillor Dunlop seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 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 19 June 2024, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Recommended for Approval.

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/23/1642/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.

The planning case officer summarised the application and set out in detail the key issues for Members to consider.

He referred in particular to the HERT4 policy and commented on the masterplan adoption framework. He detailed the planning history of the site and referred Members to the late representations.

Veronica Fraser and John Howson addressed the Committee in objection to the application. Kim Rickards spoke for the application as the applicant. Councillors Crystall, Daar and Smith addressed the committee as the East Herts local ward Members.

The Committee debated the application and asked questions of the planning officers and the HCC highways officer. The officers responded to the questions raised.

Councillor Watson (Chair) proposed, and Councillor Devonshire seconded, a motion for a 5-minute adjournment from 21:25 to 21:30. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

The Legal Services Manager reminded Members that they should not discuss the application with anyone during the 5-minute adjournment period.

RESOLVED – that the meeting be adjourned for 5 minutes from 21:25 to 21:30.

The Committee continued to debate the application and asked further questions of the planning officers and the HCC highways officer.

At 21:46, Councillor Watson (chair) proposed, and Councillor Copley seconded, a motion that the meeting would continue beyond 10 pm and until the agenda was concluded.

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

RESOLVED – that the meeting continue beyond 10 pm and until the agenda was concluded.

Councillor Estop proposed, and Councillor Adams seconded, a motion that application 3/23/1642/FUL be granted planning permission, subject to a section 106 legal agreement and the conditions set out at the end of the report, and also subject to the changes to conditions and the Section 106 agreement that had been raised during the meeting.

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

RESOLVED – that application 3/23/1642/FUL be granted planning permission, subject to a section 106 legal agreement and the conditions set out at the end of the report, and also subject to the changes to conditions and the Section 106 agreement that had been raised during the meeting.

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.