Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Keith St Pier and Holly Cook addressed the Committee against the application.  Ant Anstead spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/12/1318/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

Councillor L Haysey, as the local ward Member, stated that the “you tube” video submitted to Members by e-mail showed a vehicle movement that was not the intended norm and she had been assured by the applicant’s agent that this should not happen again.

Councillor L Haysey stated her support for the comments of Tewin Parish Council and local residents.  She stressed that the proposed use was inappropriate for agricultural land and the subsequent noise would be unacceptable for residents.

Councillor L Haysey commented that should Members be minded to approve this application, there should be some stringent conditions regarding the hours of use and the size of vehicles used in relation to the operation on the site.  She emphasised that East Herts Council was supportive of local businesses but only in the right location.

Councillor S Bull stated that he was very impressed with the applicant’s proposals, especially in respect of the workforce opportunities, particularly for young people.  He appreciated the residents’ concerns in respect of the narrow road access but felt that he could support the Officer’s recommendation for approval.

Councillor A Burlton was also supportive of the application, particularly as the number of vehicles accessing the site was likely to be very low.  He stated that the job of restoring the old cars was a very skilled activity and he applauded the applicant for finding the staff to carry out this work in this country.

Councillor M Newman commented on the situation regarding how deliveries of the completed cars from the site were to be carried out, given that the applicant had confirmed that articulated lorry movements would not occur in future.

The Director reminded Members that this application was for a change of use of the barns to a B1(c) use, meaning that any B1(c) use would be permitted to use the site should this application be approved.  Members must come to a judgment as to whether a B1 use was acceptable on this site.

In terms of the access and the vehicle movements, the Director confirmed that the expectation was that only one vehicle would enter or leave the site at any one time due to the low volumes planned for the site in terms of production.

Members were advised that the likely vehicles using the site would be low loader-style lorries capable of transporting a single car.

In response to a query from the Committee Chairman, the Director confirmed that a condition restricting the size of vehicles entering or leaving the site would not be unreasonable under the circumstances.

In response to a query from Councillor M Newman regarding noise and smells close to the site, Councillor M Alexander reminded Members of the excellent Environmental Health service provided by East Herts Council.  The Director confirmed that an application for a B1 use would not ordinarily require conditions in respect of noise or odour control.

The Director reminded Members that the control the Authority had in this respect was provided by the Environmental Health Officers and the Planning Enforcement team.

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 3/12/1318/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the following amended conditions:

1.            Three Year Time Limit (1T12)

2.            Approved plans (2E10): 11747/TM/1, 11747/TM/2, 11747/TM/3, 11747/TM/4, 11747/TM/5, HD10041/01, HD10041/02, HD10041/03, HD10041/04.

3.            Matching materials (2E13)

4.            Refuse disposal facilities (2E24)

5.            No external lighting (2E26)

6.            No external storage (5U07)

7.            No external working (6N06)

8.            No building shall be occupied for the use hereby permitted until surface water drainage works have been implemented in accordance with details that have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Before these details are submitted an assessment shall be carried out of the potential for disposing of surface water by means of a sustainable drainage system and the results of the assessment provided to the Local Planning Authority.  Where a sustainable drainage scheme is to be provided, the submitted details shall:

·              provide information about the design storm period and intensity, the method employed to delay and control the surface water discharged from the site and the measures taken to prevent pollution of the receiving groundwater and/or surface waters;

·              include a timetable for its implementation; and

·              provide a management and maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development which shall include the arrangements for adoption by any public authority or statutory undertaker and any other arrangements to secure the operation of the scheme throughout its lifetime.

Reason: In the interests of the management of surface water flows and in accordance with policy ENV21 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

9.          Hours of working - plant and machinery (6N05) – amend 18:00 to 18:30

10.     No vehicle over 7.5 tonnes shall access the site in connection with the use hereby permitted.

Reason: In the interests of the highway safety and the amenity of nearby residents in accordance with policy ENV1 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.

Directives:

1.            Other Legislation (01OL)

2.            You are advised that works should proceed with caution. In the event of bats being found, work must stop immediately and ecological advice taken on how to proceed lawfully.

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 GBC1, GBC9, GBC10, TR7, ENV1, ENV2, ENV16, ENV21 and ENV24 and the National Planning Policy Framework. The balance of the considerations having regard to those policies that permission should be granted.