Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Ann Brereton addressed the Committee against the application.  Richard Coke spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/12/0873/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

The Director referred Members to the late representations schedule that had been circulated to Members.  Councillor N Symonds stated that this site was Brownfield land and she was keen to see this site brought into use as soon as possible.

Councillor N Symonds, as the local ward Member, commented that this site would allow local residents, including those in nearby social housing, as well as those at the Havers Estate, to walk to a doctor’s surgery.  She referred to an easier situation in terms of public transport, in particular the two bus routes that served this location.

Councillor N Symonds referred to the route from St Michael’s Mead and the Hail and Ride Bus that also served the Herts and Essex Community Hospital.  She stated that this bus had wheelchair access and a carer often travelled on the bus to assist disabled users.

Councillor G Williamson referred to the comments of the Highways Officer in that, given the high staff numbers and relatively limited parking, a robust Green Travel Plan would be essential to ensure that sustainable modes of transport were used, to ensure that patients had access to an appropriate level of parking.

The Director stated that Officers had recommended an additional condition stipulating that, prior to the first occupation of any part of the development, a Green Travel Plan should be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

In response to a query from Councillor A Burlton, the Director advised that Officers had submitted a report to the meeting of the Committee on 12 September 2012, to ask that, if application 3/11/2137/SV had been determined, a variation of the Section 106 agreement to remove a £125,000 financial contribution towards the Bishop’s Stortford Transportation Plan, would have been approved.

However, the Committee had resolved not to waive that Section 106 contribution and the expectation was that this Section 106 funding would be available.  The Director advised however, that there had been an appeal against non determination of this application and the issue of the Section 106 agreement was on hold pending the outcome of that appeal.

In response to a further query from Councillor A Burlton, the Director gave further details of the proposals comprised in this application when compared to those of the application previously under consideration.

Members were advised that application 3/12/0873/FP would provide reception and waiting rooms, approximately 15 consulting rooms, 5 treatment rooms, a minor operating theatre, sports injury clinic, physiotherapy unit, staff accommodation, meeting rooms, administration office and a pharmacy.  The applicant had also indicated that the total number of permanent staff likely to be employed was 55.

The Director referred to the public transport links and stated that this application site was physically closer to the town centre of Bishop’s Stortford than the Silverleys site.  Members were advised that the Council’s Parking SPD allowed for a reduction in parking of between 75-100%, which equated to a maximum requirement for around 75 spaces.

The Director stated that Officers had been of the view that the proposed provision of 60 spaces was acceptable in light of the information provided by the applicant in respect of the likely demand for parking. 

Officers had also been mindful of the guidance in the NPPF, which stated that when setting local parking standards for non-residential development, local planning authorities should take into account the accessibility and type of development, as well as the availability of and opportunities for public transport, local car ownership levels and an overall need to reduce the use of high-emission vehicles.

Councillor M Newman commented that the design and access statement had been quite short when compared to the lengthy document submitted with application 3/12/0448/FP.  He queried whether Members had enough information to determine this application.

The Director confirmed that, as this was a change of use application, information had been submitted in earlier applications with regard to the scale and size of the proposed development.  As such, Officers were of the view that Members had sufficient information to reach a decision.

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

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/12/0873/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted and subject to the following additional condition:

1.    Prior to first occupation of any part of the development hereby approved, a Green Travel Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall thereafter be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

        Reason: To promote the use of non car modes of transport in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and policy TR4 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.