Agenda item

Recommended for Refusal.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/12/1551/FP, planning permission be refused for the reasons now detailed.

Councillor G Jones stated that this application had been to Committee before and he was of the opinion that there were no issues of size of intrusiveness and he would support this application.  Councillor D Andrews agreed with Councillor G Jones and stated his support for the application.

Councillor Mrs R Cheswright commented on whether planning conditions could be applied to prevent the site being used for large 5 bedroom houses.  The Committee Chairman stated that some very substantial conditions would have to be applied if Members rejected the Director’s recommendation for refusal.

In response to comments from Councillor A Burlton regarding development in the Green Belt, the Committee Chairman and the Director confirmed that the site was located in the rural area beyond the Green Belt.

Councillor M Alexander expressed concerns as to how the issues raised by Much Hadham Parish Council would be addressed, in particular, the issues of electricity supply, the disposal of waste and the height of the proposed development.

The Director advised that the issue of waste disposal could be covered by conditions so that details were submitted to Officers should the application be approved.  The issues of electricity and water supply were covered by different legislation and such infrastructure did not require planning permission in any event.

Councillor T Page cast doubt on the sustainability of the application if the site did not benefit from water or electricity supplies.  He referred to the issues of waste disposal and animal welfare.

Councillor M Newman commented that an e-mail had been sent to Members explaining how horse waste was to be disposed of from the site.  He referred to how exposed this site was, particularly as the bordering hedgerow was thin at the moment due to it being winter time. 

Councillor M Newman stressed that policy GBC3 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007 permitted the use of such sites for agricultural or forestry buildings or for small scale development for sport or recreation.

Councillor G Jones referred to an e-mail sent to all Members on the 30 November 2012 that sought to address all the questions raised by Members in the debate.  He stated that this e-mail had indicated that the site did benefit from a mains water supply.

Councillor G Jones proposed and Councillor D Andrews seconded, a motion that application 3/12/1551/FP be granted on the grounds that this application raised no issues of size of intrusiveness in the rural area beyond the green belt.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared LOST.

Councillor M Alexander proposed and Councillor M Newman seconded, a motion that application 3/12/1551/FP be deferred to enable Officers to seek additional information in respect of detailed matters relating to the development including waste disposal, provision of services and parking.

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 3/12/1551/FP, planning permission be deferred to enable Officers to seek additional information in respect of detailed matters relating to the development including waste disposal, provision of services and parking.