Agenda item

Recommended for Refusal.

Lee Griffin addressed the Committee in opposition to the application.  Nick Jones spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/11/2156/FP, planning permission be refused for the reasons now detailed.

The Director referred to the letter that had been circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.  Members were advised of the amendments to the application in that the Scout Hut would be further away from nearby houses and would also be lower down within the site. 

The Director also advised that the applicant had lowered the proposed roof height by 0.8 metres.  These changes had not been subject to the usual consultation but Officers felt that Members would not be unduly concerned as the changes would reduce the impact of the application.

Councillor E Buckmaster, as the local ward Member, stated that the future of the scouts in Sawbridgeworth was very much at risk.  He referred to the very special circumstances that had been highlighted by the public speaker.  He also stated that the concerns of the Officers centred around inappropriate development in the Green Belt and the proximity of the site to local residential dwellings.

Councillor Buckmaster commented that almost every church, pub, school and community hall was surrounded by residential dwellings and would experience many more comings and goings than a scout hut in this location.  In reference to parking concerns, he believed that there was sufficient parking within two minutes of the site.

Councillor Buckmaster also stated that flooding would not be a problem as the building would be sufficiently high up within the site so would not be at risk.  He referred to East Herts Local Plan Policy GBC3, which stipulated that development could be permitted on Green Belt land if development was for small scale facilities for outdoor sport and recreation.

Finally, Councillor Buckmaster commented that Councillor R Beeching had also written a letter in support of the application.  Councillor S Bull also spoke in support of the application.

Councillor J Taylor stated that this application constituted inappropriate development due to the visual impact of the proposed development on the Green Belt.  She stated that she would be supporting the Officer’s recommendation for refusal and commented that, whilst there was no doubt that Members supported the scouting movement, this was not a planning issue.

In response to comments from Councillor Mrs R Cheswright regarding the roof height of the proposed development, the Director commented that the height proposed would allow for storage within the roof space, thereby maximising the available floor area.

The Director commented that Green Belt policy allowed for small scale facilities such as changing rooms and spectator facilities.  Members were reminded that this application was for a scout hut where the principal use would remain inside the building.

The Committee was advised that there would inevitably be some ancillary use of the site and Members must judge whether the community use outweighed the potential harm to the Green Belt.

The Director stated that the amendments to the scheme suggested by the applicant gave Members the option of either approving the application or supporting the amended scheme and delegating the conditions to Officers, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and local ward Members.

Councillor S Bull proposed and Councillor M Alexander seconded, a motion that application 3/11/2156/FP be approved on the grounds that the exceptional community benefit outweighed any potential harm to the Green Belt.

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 as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/11/2156/FP, planning permission be granted and authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control to formulate appropriate conditions in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and local ward Members.