Agenda item

a)          3/12/1075/FP – Recommended for Refusal.

b)          3/12/1076/LB – Recommended for Approval.

Kevin Gregory addressed the Committee in support of the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/12/1075/FP, planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted.  The Director of Neighbourhood Services also recommended that, in respect of application 3/12/1076/LB, listed building consent be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

Councillor M Carver, as the local ward Member, stated that he hoped that Members had visited this hugely important site to gain an understanding of the complexity of this application.  He commented that Home Farm was a grade 1 listed Manor House close to a number of other listed buildings and features set in historic parkland and gardens.

Councillor M Carver emphasised that this was a total composite scheme that protected and enhanced the listed buildings at Home Farm, as well as the parkland within which this development would be located.  The viability of the application was based on all of the elements of the scheme, namely the refurbishment and renovation with extension of Home Farm as well as the four new builds.

Councillor M Carver stressed that the refurbishment and sale of Moor Place was dependent on the development of Home Farm.  He referred to the volume of work that had been undertaken by Officers and stakeholders in respect of this application.  He further commented that all of the issues raised by this application had been satisfactorily addressed.

Councillor M Carver stated that the Parish Council was supportive and the public exhibition had indicated that the wider public was also largely supportive despite the housing element being contrary to policy GBC3 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.

Councillor M Carver urged Members to approve the full planning permission and listed building consent to protect and enhance the grade 1 listed Manor House, the other listed buildings and features as well as the historic parkland and gardens.

Councillor T Page stated that he had had the privilege of visiting Moor Place to observe some fantastic buildings, some of which had fallen into disrepair.  He commented that some of the 20^th century farm buildings were completely out of place and were constructed of materials that would not be used today.

Councillor T Page stressed that the old listed buildings should be offered to the current generation to enjoy, as well as adding to the vitality of the local community by opening up farm land that was no longer required.  He concluded that the application complied with policies BH11, BH12 and BH17 and was a sympathetic scheme that brought back into use some very fine old buildings for the enjoyment of the local community of Much Hadham.

In response to comments from Councillors M Newman and A Burlton, the Director confirmed that Officers’ main concerns had centred on the new build elements of this application, which Officers had felt could not be justified.  Members were advised that Officers were supportive of work being done to the listed buildings to avoid further degradation of these buildings.

The applicant had stated however, that such works were not viable without the approval of application 3/12/1075/FP for the new build properties and Members must come to a view as to whether this application was acceptable in policy terms.  The Director concluded by advising Members that policies BH11 and BH12 were not saved policies so should not be taken into account when determining these applications.

Councillor M Newman proposed and Councillor A Burlton seconded, a motion that application 3/12/1075/FP be granted subject to the applicant entering into a legal obligation pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and subject to appropriate conditions.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.  In respect of application 3/12/1075/FP, the Committee rejected the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services as now submitted.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, in respect of application 3/12/1076/LB, the Committee supported the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that (A) in respect of application 3/12/1075/FP, planning permission be grantedsubject to the applicant entering into a legal obligation pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and subject to appropriate conditions;

(B)   in respect of application 3/12/1075/FP, authority be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services to formulate the Section 106 agreement and conditions in consultation with the local ward Member and the Chairman of the Development Control Committee; and

(C)   in respect of application 3/12/1076/LB, listed building consent be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.