Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Mr Hobart addressed the Committee in opposition to the application.  Laura Griffiths spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/11/0423/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

Councillor J Taylor expressed concerns that Cox’s Gardens was a small road and there would be an increase in the volume of traffic as with any nursery type school.  She referred to the narrow road and the 9 letters of representation from local residents.

Councillor Taylor commented that some debate was needed as parents did congregate in groups outside pre-schools at the same time and this would occur 4 times a day.  She stressed that the report highlighted a problem in Cox’s Gardens with cars parked on the footpath.

The Director stated that the main issue was the likely traffic generation although Hertfordshire Highways had not raised any concerns.  He stated that there was a level of parking proposed within the site, although this would not cater for every vehicle turning up at the same time, which was very much the worst case scenario.

The Director referred to some users of the existing pre-school walking to that site.  He stressed that this could increase for the new location as the supporting speaker had stated that this was closer to the client base for the pre-school.

The Director advised that Members must make a judgement as to whether the traffic impacts of the proposed scheme were acceptable.  He referred to the highways considerations as to whether additional traffic movements were acceptable as these would take place when the road was generally less busy.

Councillor A Burlton commented on the width of Cox’s Gardens.  He stated that this site was an improvement on the existing location for the Blues Pre-School.  He commented that the school was a thriving community facility and he would be sorry to see it go.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the Committee supported the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services that application 3/11/0423/FP be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/11/0423/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.            Three Year Time Limit (1T121)

2.            Approved Plans (2E102)

3.            Prior to the first occupation of the approved development, the access roads and parking areas within the site shall be provided and thereafter maintained in accordance with the approved plans.

        Reason: To ensure that the development makes adequate provision for the off-street parking and manoeuvring of vehicles likely to be associated with its use.

4.            Materials of construction (2E113)

5.            Hours of working - plant and machinery (6N053)

6.            Cycle Parking Facilities (2E293)

7.            Green Travel Plans (3V272)

Directive:

1.            You are advised to contact Hertfordshire Highways at Highways House, 41-45 Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts SG7 3SP, tel: 01992 356343, with regard to the carrying out of any works on any footway, carriageway, verge or other land forming part of the highway.

Summary of Reasons for Decision

The proposal has been considered with regard to the policies of the Development Plan (East of England Plan May 2008, Hertfordshire County Structure Plan, Minerals Local Plan, Waste Local Plan and the saved policies of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007), and in particular policiesENV1, TR2, TR7, TR4, TR13 and LRC1.  The balance of the considerations having regard to those policies is that permission should be granted.