Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor R Fernando. It was noted that Councillor Devonshire was substituting for Councillor Fernando.

The Chairman said that the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 came into force on Saturday 4 April 2020 to enable councils to hold remote committee meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic period. This was to ensure local authorities could conduct business during this current public health emergency.  This meeting of the Development Management Committee was being held remotely under these regulations, via the Zoom application and was being recorded and live streamed on YouTube.

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 4 November 2019.

Councillor Beckett proposed and Councillor Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2020, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Recommended for Approval

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/20/1814/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report submitted. It was also recommended that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Building Control to finalise the detail of the conditions.

The Principal Planning Officer, on behalf of the Head of Planning and Building Control, referred to the late representations summary and said that there had been an error in the report and a further condition regarding the removal of a temporary studio building.

The Committee was reminded that the lead local flood authority had reiterated that they had no objection and had suggested an alternative wording to condition 16. The Principal Planning Officer requested that this alternative wording be included in the recommendation.

The Principal Planning Officer said that she had received formal comments from the conservation and urban design team and they had generally praised the quality of the design and had confirmed that they had no objections subject to conditions. She presented a selection of plans to the Committee, for the application site that was located on the edge of Hartham Common in between the River Beane and the River Lea.

Members were advised that the site was in a green finger of land that was in flood zone two and was also located within the Hertford Conservation Area. The site was close to the town centre and was well connected in terms of bus routes and there were also good pedestrian and cycle links.

The Principal Planning Officer said that the plan was to demolish the later extension to the building and to replace this with a two storey extension to provide a larger gym and studio space plus a café and a soft play area. Members were shown the elevation drawings and in particular the south west elevation for the shape of the proposed extension. The Principal Planning Officer drew attention to the existing corrugated green roof and highlighted a number of features of the proposed development including the curved aluminium roof.

The Principal Planning Officer said that the plans showed the landscape concept in terms of how the development would be accommodated into the common area of the park. She said that the plan detailed the trees that were to be removed and the proposed living wall which served to soften and integrate the building into its setting. The living wall would serve to reduce solar gain and would assist with cooling requirements.

The Principal Planning Officer said that a new proposed footpath from the north south footpath through Hartham Common would lead to the café entrance at the rear and the proposed pergola between the trees would emphasise the entrance and provide a good linkage to the park.

The Principal Planning Officer covered a number of other key features of the design including timber effect cladding and a roof that sloped down to the south which would be ideal for photo  ...  view the full minutes text for item 278.

(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

(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. The Chairman wished Members and Officers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.