Agenda and minutes

To note any substitution of Committee Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

The following substitution of Committee Members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:

Councillor C. Stanbury for Councillor N. Pace

Councillor L. Musk for Councillor P. Shah

Councillor P. Zukowskyj for Councillor J.P Skoczylas

Councillor M. Holloway for Councillor J. Weston

Apologies for absence was received from Councillors N. Pace, P. Shah

J.P Skoczylas and J. Weston

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2021 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of meeting held on 20 July 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

This item has been withdrawn with the agreement of the committee the application was deferred to the 9 September 2021 meeting. 

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the planning permission for the erection of a building comprising 118 residential apartments ranging from 4 to 7 storeys in height (51x1-bed and 67x2-bed) with ancillary development.  30% affordable housing is proposed (35 units) with a policy compliant tenure split (51% social rent and 49% intermediate tenure). The application site has an area of 0.46 hectares and is located to the north-western side of Comet Way at its junction with Jetliner Way.

A single storey electricity sub-station building would be erected to the northern corner of the site, adjacent to the existing sub-station location.

The officer commented that the external materials and landscaping of the development help the area. There had been no objections from Highways as sustainable travel was an option with walkways, cycleways and bus stops nearby. The public benefits of the development outweigh the loss of view to the grade II listed building near the site.

The application had been called-in by Councillor Duncan Bell. Hatfield Town Council made objections over lack of outdoor amenity space, overpowering bulk of development, absence of 3 bed flats and too many flats in Hatfield.

Mr S. Morgan, spoke on behalf of applicant, stating that the site is currently unattractive brownfield land and is recognised by planning policy as a great site for development in regard to protecting green land as climate change issues. It is seen that the site will give a boost to Hatfield Town Centre and the Galleria. The design of the building is in keeping with its location near listed buildings. There have been no objections from Highways Authorities. He states the need for market and affordable housing is significant and ‘critical’ in the district. There is strong policy in favour of the development.

Councillor D. Bell, spoke as ward councillor, brought the item to this committee due to the scale of the development. His main concerns were around the lack of parking facilities for residents and visitors. He comments on the informal parking in the disused bus stop adjacent to the site and the amount of litter there. He proposed conditions for better parking such as formal parking in the disused bus stop or if the developer could gain parking rights in the galleria car park opposite the site.

Some members discussed the potential impacts on the heritage near the site as they felt that the size of the development is too tall and too close. Officers stated that Historic England gave a response with no objections and the councils Historic Building advisor stated there was less than substantial harm. the building is designed to fit into the area using a colour mix, inset top floor and varied transition height to limit the buildings impact on street and the listed building.

Parking concerns were raised by some members. The Officer stated that the development does have enough and is in a sustainable location for use of public transport via cycle and bus routes. A member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the planning permission to demolish the existing buildings. The replacement would be a building arranged into four blocks connected by external terraces and staircases. The replacement building would range from 2 storeys to 3 storeys providing 43 temporary accommodation units for families and individual households, a staff office, children play area, associated landscaping and amenity space.

The Officer stated that the development will be 100% affordable housing being a contemporary addition, in design, to the area and is in a sustainable location. All objections to the proposal had been received, the officer commented that the change is not unacceptable.

Mr D. Bangs, spoke on behalf of the applicant, stated the council has a statutory duty to provide housing for those in need. The height of the development had been reduced to prevent overlooking with the flats near other properties having visual screens to prevent overlooking. There will be 24hr CCTV to deter anti-social behaviour, residents would be subject to a 28-day contract clause. If they break the agreement of no anti-social behaviour they will be removed from the premise. Construction of the site will be sensitive to the surrounding properties. All trees on the site will be protected and more will be added. Cycle provisions have been added at the first floor.

Cllr M. Eames Petersen, Town Councillor, welcomes affordable housing however objects to this development. The main objection is against a loss of community for elderly residents in the town, a local community centre is nearby the site and thinks that it is unfair on elderly residents to take homes away. Points were raised over the quantity of those living on the site, currently council residents live there and fears that the new development will reduce the number of those living there if the houses are single occupancy. Not sure on the viability of the site as issues with similar schemes in Hatfield. 

The Chair asked for clarification if sheltered accommodation was being lost to temporary accommodation. The Officers were aware of the change of land use, it was stated that the former use of for the elderly ended some years ago and the occupants moved. The site is currently being used as temporary accommodation. The officer stated that the current housing is not fit for purpose, so the redevelopment is not a loss.

There was support from members for the development of the site.

Members commented on the height of the proposal being 3 storeys and raised on an embankment. Members were sympathetic to the neighbours of the site so wanted conditions on hours of construction operation on the site and overnight lighting. The officers agreed these concerns could be addressed by the inclusion of additional provisions to condition one and environmental health colleagues could be consulted in relation to details proposed by the applicant. The officer stated that the height of the building will not change despite the development going from 2 storeys to 3 storeys  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailing recent appeal decisions for the period 10 July to 2 August 2021. 

          RESOLVED:

That appeal decisions during the period be 10 July to 2 August 2021 be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) providing the Committee with a summary of planning applications that may be presented to DMC in future.

          RESOVLED:

That future planning applications which might be considered by the Committee be noted.