Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

The Director for Place recommended that in respect of application 3/25/0763/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.

The Planning Officer said that a late representation had been received from Ware Town Council who had resolved to support the application subject to consideration of concerns regarding pedestrian safety, the availability of space for events and the potential of the proposals to encourage additional parking in the square.

The Planning Officer summarised in detail the proposed development and set out the location of the site in the town centre of Ware. He set out of the access to the site and detailed the location of the existing police station. Members were advised that the site was located in the Ware conservation area and within the plan area of the adopted Ware Neighbourhood Plan.

The Planning Officer presented a series of plans and photos that were pertinent to the application and the proposed application. Following a query from a Member, the Planning Officer referred back to the late representations and said that all of the issues raised by Ware Town Council had been addressed by the report.

Members commented on the TRO and the police parking in Tudor Square. The Planning Officer confirmed that a permanent traffic regulation order (TRO) was being revised by Hertfordshire County Council, and this was proposed to include the two parking spaces within the TRO. He confirmed to the committee that the TRO would permit the police to park regardless of what events were taking place.

The Planning Officer set out the design had been amended to metal studs as a more low-level addition and a design that was more in keeping with the circular square and this would not impact on the relatively new paving in Tudor Square. Members were advised that there would be some loss of space in the square for the market and officers considered this to be acceptable in the context of the function of the market.

The Planning Officer confirmed that the applicant had agreed to a condition to limit the times the spaces could be used outside of market hours. Officers had considered that the condition was not appropriate as the police were able to park in Tudor Square without permission.

Councillor Watson proposed and Councillor Thomas seconded, a motion that Councillor Andrews be permitted to briefly address the committee to add some context to the consideration of the application and the historic use of Tudor Square and the wider Ware town centre by the police and other vehicles.

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

RESOLVED – that Councillor David Andrews be permitted to briefly address the committee to add some context to the consideration of the application and the historic use of Tudor Square and the wider Ware town centre by the police and other vehicles.

Councillor Devonshire proposed and Councillor R Buckmaster seconded, a motion that application 3/25/0763/FUL be granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.

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

RESOLVED – that application 3/25/0763/FUL be granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.