Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Mr Parkin addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Mr Hayman spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, subject to the applicant or successor in title entering into a legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in respect of application 3/13/2223/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted. 

Councillor P Ruffles read out a number of comments on behalf of the local ward Member, Councillor D Andrews.  Councillor Andrews had referred to the significant outcomes of the informed negotiations and also praised the efforts of the Parish Council, the Case Officer as well as an East Herts Engineering Officer for their contributions to this application.

Councillor Andrews had regretted that the applicant had not placed less emphasis on piped drainage solutions in favour of an open channel flood relief scheme, which would result in an enhanced street scene with additional biodiversity and green space.

Councillor Andrews had also referred to the commitment from the developer to work with the Parish Council in transferring the ownership of a strip of land to ensure there could never be vehicular access to and from North Drive and to assist in the provision of play facilities for children.

Councillor G Williamson stated that he could not think of any other examples in East Herts where a settlement would increase in size by 50% as a consequence of a planning application.  He referred to policy OSV1 and expressed his concern that this would be significant over expansion of the village.

Councillor P Moore referred to the 22 affordable units and she sought and was given clarification regarding the percentage split between social rent and shared ownership units.  The Director referred to the significant additional information in the additional representations schedule, in particular the drainage issues and historical drainage problems that would be resolved by this application.  The Director concluded that although this was a substantial increase in the size of the village, the location remained an identified site within the boundary of the village.

The Chairman referred to the access being opposite a chicane in the road which, in her opinion, would be dangerous.  The Director referred to differing views relating to chicanes and highway safety.  Members were reminded that Hertfordshire Highways had not raised this as an objection to this application.

Councillor P Ruffles referred to the importance of ensuring that condition 6 was sufficiently robust to prevent access to the development site via North Drive.  He also referred to the significant population increase for the community affected by this application. 

Councillor Ruffles commented that the application would not be an ugly bolt on form of development and would, in his view, integrate well with the existing community.  He referred to the difficulties of removing water from the site and stated that he was inclined to support the application.

Councillor N Symonds commented on whether the application should be deferred to allow submission of further information regarding what the development would look like and, in particular, information regarding construction materials.  The Director updated the Committee in respect of the materials that would very likely be used in construction of the development.

The Director confirmed that condition 6 was sufficiently robust to protect North Drive from the proposed development.  Members were reminded that all of the conditions and the provisions of the Section 106 agreement had to meet certain standard tests in terms of their reasonableness and enforceability.

In response to queries from Councillor K Crofton and G Williamson, the Director confirmed that the Council’s policies sought to ensure the provision of a range of community facilities for new developments.  Members were reminded that as the proposals addressed the fundamental issue of drainage in the area, which resulted in a significant cost, a reasonable view had to be taken as to what else could be achieved in terms of amenity provision.

Councillor P Ruffles proposed and Councillor M Alexander seconded, a motion that application 3/13/2223/FP be deferred to enable Officers to seek the provision of children’s play facilities as part of the development.

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 3/13/2223/FP, planning permission be deferred to enable Officers to seek the provision of children’s play facilities as part of the development.