Agenda and minutes

To note that Councillors N.Pace and J.Boulton were appointed Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee at the Annual Council meeting on 21 May 2018.

It was noted that Councillors N.Pace and J.Boulton were elected Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively for the Municipal Year 2018/2019.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee and the Council, thanked Councillor Stephen Boulton for his work in relation to this Committee, which amounted to over 15 years.

To note any substitution of Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22.

The following substitutions of Committee Members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22:

Councillor S.Thusu had replaced Councillor S. Markiewicz.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S. Markiewicz.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2018 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailing the Hawkshead Campus masterplan.

The Hawkshead Campus was vital to the RVC’s rural operations and was currently identified as a Major Developed Site in the Green Belt where all but minor development should come forward in the context of a development brief.

The RVC’s Hawkshead Campus Masterplan had been developed in response to a need for clarity regarding forthcoming development for stakeholders including the local community, Parish Councils, Hertfordshire County Council and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.  The Masterplan was intended to inform development projects during the period 2018-2028 and would serve as planning guidance for development control purposes, therefore, must be the subject of public consultation and approved by the Council.

The Masterplan identified a package of short and medium term interventions that would be further developed through consultation.  As a whole, it sought to provide a vision for the campus that enhanced the green infrastructure, reflected its location in the Green Belt, improved the built environment, encouraged connections and places of exchange whilst facilitating the removal of buildings that detracted from the campus and were no longer fit for purpose.  The proposed approach aimed to promote development that was efficient, of high quality, and sustainable. 

The report of Officers listed the key principles of the Masterplan as:

•      the numbers of students based at Hawkshead would increase to approximately 1,200 while staff numbers remained broadly stable

•      the College would meet head-on the challenge posed by direct competitors and would do all in its power to develop sustainably

•      the College would focus on improving its built estate primarily to improve the student experience, but would also seek to improve the teaching and learning, research and clinical environment for staff and clients

•      the College would strive to retain its position in the university world rankings and its accreditations with professional bodies

•      the College would seek to minimise the environmental impact of its buildings and Operations

•      the College would seek to improve the quality of its buildings, many of which are in very poor condition

•      the College would continue to strengthen its community engagement

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because the RVC Masterplan would serve as planning guidance for development management purposes and had more than just local interest. 

Five key sites had been identified for development and these were summarised by Officers.  It was concluded the vision for the campus set out in the Masterplan was considered to afford benefits in all areas of sustainability and was in accordance with the aims and objectives of saved policies of the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan, the Draft Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Officers reiterated that approving the Masterplan would not result in the granting of planning permission and that any planning applications which came forward in the context of this Masterplan would be considered on their merits against Development Plan Policies in the usual way.

Ian Darker, representing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailing the erection of a part two, part single storey rear extension insertion of first floorside window part conversion of garage with installation of rooflight within existing roof and minor alterations to windows and doors construction of parapet walls.

49 Elmwood was a two storey, detached dwellinghouse with attached single storey elements which accommodated the garage, utility room, and home office. A single storey conservatory was located to the rear of the existing dwelling.  49 Elmwood had off road parking set within a landscaped front garden.  The rear garden was enclosed by close boarded fencing and a brick wall approximately 1.8 metres high.

49 Elmwood formed part of a road characterised by detached and semi-detached properties.  Properties had off street car parking and the road was characterised by substantial soft landscaping, grass verges and trees.  The properties and their associated garages were set with spacious gaps.  The properties were designed in a varied but traditional manner.  There were no parking controls on the street albeit the road was narrow.  Many of the dwellings had been extended.

Planning permission had been sought for the demolition of the existing conservatory and the erection of a part two and part single storey rear extension.  This would create an extended kitchen/diner/living space on the ground floor and fifth bedroom and second bathroom on the first floor level.

The proposal also sought to convert part of the existing garage to enlarge the downstairs bathroom and install a flat rooflight within the existing roof.

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee as the applicant was an employee within the planning department of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

Officers read from the following statement, which set out the position of the Council regarding this application.

“This planning application seeks permission for the erection of a part two storey and part single storey rear extension, insertion of a first floor side window and the partial conversion of the existing garage to residential with the installation of a roof light, alterations to windows and the increase in height of the existing parapet walls.

The application is presented to committee because the applicant is a member of staff within the planning department.

The key issues to be considered relate to impacts on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, the design and appearance of the proposed extensions and alterations, and impacts on the Welwyn Garden City Conservation Area. Members will have read the report and I do not propose to go into detail on the first two of these matters.

Members will have noted, however, that a neighbouring occupier has raised a number of concerns with the way in which the Council has considered the application, particularly in regard to heritage impacts. In order that Members are clear as to how the conservation impacts of the proposal should be considered, I do want to spend some time setting this out before any debate and decision is taken on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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 5 April 2018 to 11 May 2018.

RESOLVED:

That appeal decisions during this period be noted.

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

Report of the Corporate 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 call-in or application was withdrawn, the item would not be presented to Committee.

RESOLVED:

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

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

The report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) informed the Committee of the performance of the Development Management Service over the first quarter of 2017/18.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the performance of the Development Management Services over the first quarter 2017/18 be noted.