Agenda for Development Management Committee on Thursday 1st March 2018, 7.30 pm
Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Campus East, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 6AE. View directions
Contact: Marie Lowe on 01707 357443 Email: democracy@welhat.gov.uk
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SUBSTITUTIONS OF MEMBERS To note any substitution of Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22. Minutes: The following substitutions of Committee Members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22:
Councillor M.Cook for A.Chesterman Councillor K.Holman for J.Beckerman Councillor C.Gillett for T.Mitchinson |
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APOLOGIES Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A.Chesterman, J.Beckerman, D.Bennett, I.Dean, M.Perkins, T.Mitchinson and J.Weston.
An apology was also received from M.Cook who was due to substitute for A.Chesterman. |
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MINUTES To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2018 (previously circulated). Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda. Minutes: Councillor S.Boulton and P.Zukowskyj declared non-pecuniary interests in items on the agenda as appropriate by virtue of being a Member of Hertfordshire County Council.
Councillor K.Holman declared non-pecuniary interests in items on the agenda as appropriate by virtue of being a Member of Hatfield Town Council. |
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Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailing the change of use of ground floor from Sui-Generis to Residential (C3) to include the creation of 2no 1-bedroom and 3no 2-bedroom flats with external alterations including new fenestrations, associated cycle and bin store, car parking and landscaping.
The application site was situated to the western side of Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield and comprised a 3-storey building with associated car parking on a 0.16ha plot, within the Old Hatfield Conservation Area.
The building was currently in use as a ‘Jobcentre Plus’ on the ground floor with offices above. The principle of residential development had recently been established on the first and second floors of the building through prior approval (Ref: 6/2017/1176/PN11). The permission had not been implemented.
The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because Hatfield Town Council had objected.
“Members were not aware that the Job Centre in Hatfield was targeted for closure. They do not see in the application details of where it will be relocated. They wish to raise concerns regarding parking, loss of more commercial space in Old Hatfield to residential units and lack of any amenity area for the new residential units.”
Vikki Davies (Agent) spoke in favour of the application, emphasising key points in the report. She reinforced the Planning Officer’s decision that the development would contribute to meeting housing needs and would reuse previously developed land, being consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF).
Ken McGuiness spoke against the application on behalf of The Old Hatfield Resident’s Association, raising various concerns including the detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of Old Hatfield, and noise from the main road, railway and Great Northern public house.They also made reference to the trend towards smaller units which would be out of line with the Council’s indicative mix of housing set out in SP7.
In addition, Mr McGuiness emphasised that the association had not been consulted and it was not clear whether Gascoyne Cecil Estates (GCE) had been consulted either. They were concerned that the development could impact on an integral part of GCE’s major project to re-vitalise Salisbury Square, with new car parking impeding on the proposed direct access across Salisbury Square to the Station.
Hatfield Town Councillor James Broach spoke against the application, raising concerns about the loss of vital services, such as the Job Centre, and the resulting impact on the economic needs of the area. In addition, he also raised concerns about the noise of the main road and railway.
Following a discussion, it was moved by Councillor F.Thompson and seconded by Councillor N.Pace that the Officer’s recommendation be approved and planning permission granted. Being put to the vote this was lost (5 voting for and 6 against).
It was then moved by Councillor P.Zukowskyj and seconded by Councillor P.Shah and
RESOLVED: (7 voting for, 4 against)
That planning permission for application 36 Salisbury Square, Hatfield, AL9 5AF 6/2017/1902 notwithstanding the Officer’s recommendation for approval the planning ... view the full minutes text for item 120. |
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Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) setting out the erection of 4no front, 4no rear and 2no side dormer windows, 5no front and 5no rear roof lights to facilitate conversion of roof to include the creation of 2no 1-bedroom and 2no 2-bedroom flats with associated parking, cycle store and landscaping.
The application site was situated to the western side of Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield and comprised a 3-storey building with associated car parking on a 0.16ha plot, within the Old Hatfield Conservation Area.
The reason the application had been presented to the Development Management Committee was because Hatfield Town Council objected.
“Members were not aware that the Job Centre in Hatfield was targeted for closure. They do not see in the application details of where it will be relocated. They wish to raise concerns regarding parking, loss of more commercial space in Old Hatfield to residential units and lack of any amenity area for the new residential units.”
Vikki Davies (Agent) spoke in favour of the application, reinforcing the Planning Officer’s conclusion in the report.
Ken McGuiness, representing The Old Hatfield Residents Association spoke against the application, raising concerns that it was overdevelopment of the site and contrary to Gascoyne Cecil Estate’s project to revitalize Old Hatfield.
Hatfield Town Councillor James Broach spoke against the application, stating that it was overdevelopment of the site and would set a precedent for converting commercial space to residential. He raised additional concerns about the noise, lack of green space and parking for residents.
A discussion followed which in the main acknowledged that a roof conversion would have minimal impact on the economic vitality of the town.
It was then proposed by Councillor N.Pace and seconded by Councillor F.Thompson and
RESOLVED: (10 voting for, 1 against)
That planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of Officers.
In addition:
DRAWING NUMBERS
(1) The development/works shall not be started and completed other than in accordance with the approved plans and details:
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Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailed the application of a garage conversion to include replacement of existing garage roof.
The application site was located within Lemsford Lane and set back approximately 18 metres from the highway. The site consisted of a two storey semi-detached/link attached dwelling with garage.
Planning permission had been sought to convert the garage into habitable accommodation and raise the height of the garage roof so it was of the same height of the link to the main dwelling.
The reason the application had been presented to the Development Management Committee for consideration was because the applicant was a Councillor for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
Whilst, the proposed development would be visible within the streetscene, it was not considered that the works would be overly prominent as the roof would be of the same height as the existing link extension from the main dwelling.
Following a short discussion, it was generally agreed that the development would have little impact on the character and context of the area, the neighbours or parking.
It was then moved by Councillor N.Pace and seconded by Councillor B.Fitzsimon.
RESOLVED: (unanimous)
That planning permission be granted as per the Officer’s recommendation and subject to the conditions set out in the report.
In addition:
DRAWING NUMBERS
(1) The development/works shall not be started or completed other than in accordance with the approved plans and details:
POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE STATEMENT
The decision has been made taking into account, where practicable and appropriate the requirements of paragraphs 186-187 of the National Planning Policy Framework and material planning considerations do not justify a decision contrary to the development plan (see Officer’s report which can be viewed on the Council's website or inspected at these offices). |
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Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailed the reduction of Leyland Cypress hedge by 5-6m in height.
The site encompasses two residential gardens within the Conservation Area of Welwyn Garden City.
The applicant had proposed reducing the height of a conifer hedge, which was in excess of 9m, located within the rear garden of 6 Meadow Green that abuts the rear garden boundary of 18 Applecroft Road.
The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because the applicant was a member of staff within the Planning Department at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
Following a brief discussion it was generally agreed that the reduction of the hedge was appropriate and would not have an adverse effect on the character of the Conservation Area.
It was then proposed by Councillor N.Pace seconded by Councillor F.Thompson and
RESOLVED: (unanimous)
That planning permission be granted as per the Officer recommendation and subject to the conditions set out in the Officer’s report. |
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Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailed recent appeal decisions for the period 19 January 2018 to 15 February 2018.
RESOLVED:
That the appeal decisions during the period 19 January 2018 to 15 February 2018 be noted. |
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PLANNING UPDATE - FUTURE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PDF 176 KB Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Additional documents: Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) provided Members with a summary of planning applications that might be presented to the Committee over the next one or two months. Members noted that if the application was called-in or withdrawn, the item would not be presented to Committee.
RESOLVED:
That future planning applications which might be considered by the Committee be noted. |
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DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE REPORT - OCTOBER- DECEMBER 2017 PDF 359 KB Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance). Minutes: Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance related to the performance of the Development Management Service over the three month period October to December 2017.
Councillor M.Larkins noted the large increase in November’s Estate Management Tree Applications.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the report be noted. |