Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/11/2050/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

In response to a query from Councillor A Burlton, the Director confirmed that the application site for the full length of North Street was the same as for the previously approved application.

Councillor Burlton queried how the traffic was to access side roads leading off North Street, namely Water Lane and Barrett Lane.  The Director confirmed there was alternative access via Bridge Street.  Members were reminded that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was still in force and should ensure that traffic circulation was maintained in this part of Bishop’s Stortford.

In response to a number of comments from Councillor T Page, the Director summarised the application that was before Members for a decision.  He stressed that Members must only consider the planning issues relevant to this application when making a decision.

In response to further concerns from a number of Members and a specific request from Councillor Burlton, the Director stated that Officers could attach a condition whereby the applicant would have 14 days to submit a plan detailing the position of the market stalls to ensure vehicular access was maintained between North Street, Barrett Lane, Water Lane and Bridge Street.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the Committee supported the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services as now submitted, subject to the amended conditions.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/11/2050/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the following amended conditions:

1.            The use hereby permitted shall cease on or before 28th February 2013.

        Reason: To allow the impact of the proposed road closure on the free flow of traffic in the area to be monitored and assessed in the interests of highway safety.

2.            The use of the market hereby permitted shall be restricted to the hours of 0500 to 1600 on Thursdays and Saturdays only.

        Reason:  In the interests of highway safety.

3.    Within 14 days of the date of this decision, a plan detailing the position of the market stalls to ensure vehicular access can be maintained between North Street, Barrett Lane, Water Lane and Bridge Street, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and thereafter the development shall accord with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure continued access and convenient use of the public highway.

Directive:

1.    You are reminded that the temporary TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) terminates on the 30 December 2012 and you will therefore need to apply for an extension to the TRO for the remaining period of this permission if the market is to continue in the centre of North Street.

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 policies ENV1 and STC1. The balance of the considerations having regard to those policies and the approval of planning permission within LPA reference 3/10/1152/FP and the acceptability of the development in highway terms, is that permission should be granted.