Agenda item

Recommended for Refusal.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/13/2107/FP, planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted.

Councillor S Bull stated that the site was located in the village and was accessible via narrow lanes.  He stated that there was no public transport in the vicinity of the site and residents had made it clear that they did not want a commercial reuse of this site, as detailed in the letters of support that had been acknowledged in the Officer’s report.

Councillor G Jones stated that he could not see any other viable use of the site other than a residential use.  He referred to the Officer’s concerns regarding the impact of the application on the open aspect of the area.

The Director advised that policy GBC9 was a policy relating to the reuse of redundant agricultural or other non residential rural buildings.  This policy also related to business, leisure and tourism uses.  In response to a query from Councillor J Jones regarding tree protection, the Director advised that conditions could be applied to secure the necessary protection.

The Director stated that the site had not been marketed for other uses aside from residential, such as leisure, tourism or other business related uses.  Members were advised that this process should take place for at least 6 or 12 months and Officers felt that the application did not comply with part II of policy GBC9 as this marketing process had not taken place.

Councillor G Jones referred to evidence from the applicant which had given an assessment that marketing the site was a waste of time as there was nothing to market it to.  He stated that Officers often advised that each application was different and, as such, he felt that there would be no precedent if this application was approved.

Councillor S Bull proposed and Councillor J Jones seconded, a motion that application 3/13/2107/FP be granted on the grounds that the application was in accordance with the policy provisions of part II of policy GBC9 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED. The Committee rejected the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that, in respect of application 3/13/2107/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.            Three year time limit (1T121)

2.            Approved plans (2E103) “insert 10847-S001-A, 10847-P001-C

3.            Prior to the commencement of development the shed structure as shown on drawing 10847-S001-A shall be demolished and the resultant material removed from the site.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of the site and rural surroundings in accordance with policies ENV1 and GBC3 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.

4.            Hard surfacing (3V21)

5.            Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved, the boundary hedgerow either side of the existing access onto Vicarage Road shall be trimmed to maintain adequate visibility splays.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

6.            Tree retention (4P05)

7.            Withdrawal of PD (Part 1, Class A)(2E20)

Directives:

1.    Other legislation (01OL)

2.    Unsuspected contamination (33UC)

3.    Street naming and numbering (19SN)

Summary of Reasons for Decision

East Herts Council has considered the applicant’s proposal in a positive and proactive manner with regard to the policies of the Development Plan (Minerals Local Plan, Waste Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD 2012 and the ’saved’ policies of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007); the National Planning Policy Framework and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2012 (as amended).  The balance of the considerations having regard to those policies and the limited harm to the character and appearance of the surroundings is that permission should be granted.