Agenda item

Mr Lambert addressed the Committee in support of the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/10/1968/FP, subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement pursuant to section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

The Director referred to the late representations schedule and advised Members that condition 13 had been removed.  Members were advised that clauses 9 and 11 of the section 106 obligation had been reworded as detailed in the schedule now submitted.

Councillor P R Ballam, as the local ward Member, expressed concerns in relation to the lack of an equipped play area in the plans for this application.  She stressed that the King George Road playing fields were a considerable distance away and there was not a footpath for part of that walk and the speed of traffic made this dangerous.

Councillor V Shaw, as the local ward Member, referred to the Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy and the reference to the inappropriate provision of flats which were unsuitable for families with young children.  She stressed that more one and two bed houses were needed in Ware.

Councillor Shaw commented that 3 and 4 bed houses were out of reach to many potential householders.  She stated that there were no play facilities in the vicinity of this site and the area close to the river was unsuitable.  She expressed concern that the section 106 contributions would not benefit Ware.

Councillor Mrs M H Goldspink expressed concerns in relation to the lack of a children’s play space.  The Director stressed that Officers considered a play space close to the semi wild area adjacent to the Lea Valley Park as inappropriate. 

Councillor R I Taylor referred to the tiny gardens in the plans, which could be judged to be inadequate for three and four bed family houses.  He stated that the developer could consider some provision of play space as a gesture of goodwill for the residents.  The Director referred to potential nature and conservation issues of converting part of a semi wild area in to play space.

The Director commented that incorporating play space raised the issue of separation distances between such provision and the proposed dwellings.  Such separation was essential to protect resident’s amenity, and the developer might well be unwilling to reduce the number of dwellings in order to incorporate a designated play area.

Councillor D Andrews expressed concerns relating to the parking provision proposed in this application.  Councillor Mrs Goldspink commented on whether a condition could be applied to secure the provision of children’s play space.  The Director considered that this would be unreasonable as it would change the nature of an application.

Councillor A L Warman proposed and Mrs M H Goldspink seconded a motion that application 3/10/1968/FP be deferred to enable Officers to seek the agreement of the applicant to include the provision of an equipped children’s play space within the site, to seek an amendment to the design of the properties to include energy efficiency measures, increasing parking provision at the site and to enable Officers to seek the views of the County Architectural Liaison Officer.  

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 that application 3/10/1968/FP be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/10/1968/FP, planning permission be deferred to enable Officers to seek the agreement of the applicant to include the provision of an equipped children’s play space within the site, to seek an amendment to the design of the properties to include energy efficiency measures, increasing parking provision at the site and to enable Officers to seek the views of the County Architectural Liaison Officer.