Agenda and draft minutes

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

1.     SUBSTITUTIONS

The following substitution of Members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules: No substitutions received

2.     APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Goldwater.

3.     MINUTES

Cllr Watson noted the microphone didn’t pick up her vote on the Halmer Green discussion, did not mean to excuse herself from the vote. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2024 were approved as a correct record.

4.     NOTIFICATION OF URGENT BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED UNDER ITEM 6 AND ANY ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA

There were items of urgent business.

5.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS

Cllr Thomson and Cllr Boulton declared County Councillor interest.

6.     FULL 4 LITTLE LEY WELWYN GARDEN CITY AL7 4TN

Officer Ganesh Gnanamoorthy presented the report and images for dwelling application, number 4 Little Ley. The application site is set in a mainly residential area with no listed building in close proximity and not located on Greenbelt land. The proposed dwelling will attach to the end of the existing terraced dwelling, with aligned windows, solar panels and rear bi-fold doors. The dwelling will provide 1 parking space for the new dwelling and two for the existing. An application for a similar dwelling in 2006 was initially refused but allowed at appeal. The officers recommendation is to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in officer report. 

Chair invited D.Scriven, agent, to speak. 

It was noted that the loss of light concern is not believed to make a significant impact with the nearest property just over 18m away. Noise & disturbance caused by construction are not material to planning, however applicant is committed to ensuring the well-being of the community, also applicant has agreed to a traffic management plan with the Council to manage disturbance and will include details of vehicle manoeuvring, call outs and working hours & times. Applicant has worked with the Council to ensure the design is appropriate and the build is in line with the Council’s requirements.

Chair invited C. Garrett, resident, to speak. 

It was noted the road to the property is narrow and parking/manoeuvring large vehicles blocks the access and is a health and safety concern, especially as some residents of Little Ley have disabilities and/or mobility issues so wheelchair and carer access is essential.

Chair invited Cllr Chesterman, ward councillor, to speak., on behalf on Cllr Birleson.

It was noted the warden on this site has objected the application based on severe health impact on the residents with the main objectives being loss of light, disturbance during construction and over development on the plot of trees in Shawbury. loss of light, noise disturbance.

Comments and questions from members:

Member noted the previous application that was rejected then approved should not be considered when making application decision. Member queried issue access and whether this is an existing issue and what the impacts will be with construction. Officer noted the property could undergo certain construction on this property without permission which would bring access issues. There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2024 (previously circulated).

1.     SUBSTITUTIONS

The following substitution of Members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules: No substitutions received

2.     APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Goldwater.

3.     MINUTES

Cllr Watson noted the microphone didn’t pick up her vote on the Halmer Green discussion, did not mean to excuse herself from the vote. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2024 were approved as a correct record.

4.     NOTIFICATION OF URGENT BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED UNDER ITEM 6 AND ANY ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA

There were items of urgent business.

5.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS

Cllr Thomson and Cllr Boulton declared County Councillor interest.

6.     FULL 4 LITTLE LEY WELWYN GARDEN CITY AL7 4TN

Officer Ganesh Gnanamoorthy presented the report and images for dwelling application, number 4 Little Ley. The application site is set in a mainly residential area with no listed building in close proximity and not located on Greenbelt land. The proposed dwelling will attach to the end of the existing terraced dwelling, with aligned windows, solar panels and rear bi-fold doors. The dwelling will provide 1 parking space for the new dwelling and two for the existing. An application for a similar dwelling in 2006 was initially refused but allowed at appeal. The officers recommendation is to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in officer report. 

Chair invited D.Scriven, agent, to speak. 

It was noted that the loss of light concern is not believed to make a significant impact with the nearest property just over 18m away. Noise & disturbance caused by construction are not material to planning, however applicant is committed to ensuring the well-being of the community, also applicant has agreed to a traffic management plan with the Council to manage disturbance and will include details of vehicle manoeuvring, call outs and working hours & times. Applicant has worked with the Council to ensure the design is appropriate and the build is in line with the Council’s requirements.

Chair invited C. Garrett, resident, to speak. 

It was noted the road to the property is narrow and parking/manoeuvring large vehicles blocks the access and is a health and safety concern, especially as some residents of Little Ley have disabilities and/or mobility issues so wheelchair and carer access is essential.

Chair invited Cllr Chesterman, ward councillor, to speak., on behalf on Cllr Birleson.

It was noted the warden on this site has objected the application based on severe health impact on the residents with the main objectives being loss of light, disturbance during construction and over development on the plot of trees in Shawbury. loss of light, noise disturbance.

Comments and questions from members:

Member noted the previous application that was rejected then approved should not be considered when making application decision. Member queried issue access and whether this is an existing issue and what the impacts will be with construction. Officer noted the property could undergo certain construction on this property without permission which would bring access issues. There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

To receive a report of the Assistant Director (Planning).

To receive a report of the Assistant Director (Planning).

To receive a report of the Assistant Director (Planning).

The Committee is asked to resolve:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for Item 10 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100(A)(3) and Paragraphs 2 (Information likely to reveal the identity of an individual), and 6 (Statutory notice or order)  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.