Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, subject to no new substantive issues being raised during the consultation period, in respect of application 3/11/0544/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

The Director advised that the application had been reported back to Members, as the applicant, the property section of the Authority, was keen to complete the proposed works during the summer holiday period.

Councillor G Jones commented that he was pleased to see that the applicant had responded positively to the comments raised by Members when the application had been deferred. 

Councillor Jones stressed that although he was not supportive of land being taken out of the Green Belt for car parking, he felt that the current application was an acceptable compromise.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the Committee accepted the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services that, subject to no new substantive issues being raised during the consultation period, application 3/11/0544/FP be granted subject to the conditions now detailed.

RESOLVED – that, subject to no new substantive issues being raised during the consultation period, in respect of application 3/11/0544/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.            Three Year Time Limit (1T12)

2.            Programme of archaeological work (2E024)

3.            Approved plans (2E10) 4156/01D, 4156/02D, 4156/03A, 4156/04D, 4156/05A,

4.            Notwithstanding the details shown on the submitted plans, any external lighting at the site shall be provided in accordance with a detailed scheme, including hours of operation, that shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to the commencement of the development.  No external lighting shall be provided without such consent.

Reason: In the interests of ecology and the visual amenities of the area in accordance with policies GBC1, ENV1, ENV16 and ENV23 of the East Herts Local Plan April 2007.

5.            Tree retention and protection (4P05)

6.            The use of the temporary car park as shown on plan no. 4156/05 shall cease upon the completion of the approved works to the car parks and the temporary surfacing shall be removed and the land reinstated within 1 month of that date.

Reason: This part of the proposed development is contrary to the provisions of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007 and is a temporary expedient only.

7.    Prior to the commencement of development details of crime prevention measures for the car parks shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such approved details shall thereafter be implemented, retained and maintained unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of crime prevention in accordance with Policy ENV1 and ENV3 of the East Herts Local Plan Second review 2007.

8.    No removal of trees, scrub or hedgerow shall take place within the bird breeding season (1 March – 31 August), unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  If breeding birds are found during site clearance, work must stop immediately and a statutory authority or suitably qualified ecologist informed.

Reason: To protect the habitats of breeding birds under the Wildlife and Access to the Countryside Act 1981, and in accordance with policy ENV16 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.

9.    The soffit level of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge shall be set no lower than that of the existing vehicle bridge.

Reason: To prevent an increased risk of blockages occurring during flood events in accordance with policy ENV19 of the East Herts Local Plan April 2007.

Directive:

1.    Groundwater protection zone (28GP)

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 East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007), and in particular policies GBC1, ENV1, ENV2, ENV3, ENV16, ENV19, ENV23, LRC1, LRC5, BH1, BH2, BH3 and BH6 The balance of the considerations having regard to those policies and other material considerations is that permission should be granted.