Agenda and minutes

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

The following substitution of a Committee Member had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22:

Councillor M.Cowan for Councillor S.Elam.

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

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019 (circulated separately).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor H.Bromley declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 6 on the Agenda – Welwyn Rugby Football Club by virtue of being the Member who had called-in the planning application.

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the retention of 4 x 15m high floodlight columns and lamps measuring a further 0.5 metres.

Welwyn Rugby Club comprised a large field with three rugby pitches and a clubhouse building and car park adjacent to the Hobbs Way access to the site, in the eastern corner of the premises.  The site was bound on all sides by residential properties.  These were screened from the rugby club by mature vegetation, though it was sparse at certain points.

The application was for the retention of 4 x 15m high floodlight columns and lamps serving the northern-most of the rugby pitches (adjacent to the Turmore Dale, Scotts View and Handside Lane properties).  The lighting columns were sited two either side of the rugby pitch – two fairly centrally located within the site and two adjacent to the boundary of the site with Scotts View.  The closest of these two was around two metres from the rear boundary of 3 Scotts View.  The floodlight columns extended above the tree line.

The lamps would be fitted with cowls to limit the light spill from them.  The cowls would be attached to the top of the columns below the lamps and would be 200mm high and 500mm wide.  The cowls were only proposed on the two columns adjacent to the Scotts View properties.

The floodlights were typically used on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm during the months of October to March.

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because it had been called in by Councillor Bromley.  The statement made by Councillor Bromley was as follows;

‘The new floodlights are significantly higher than the ones which they replaced, by some 7m, and they are also in different positions to the original lights. This has caused significant harm to the residents and the general amenity of the area. The original application did not mention the floodlights being in different positions. This is impacting upon the Conservation and the EMS area. There is substantial visual intrusion day and night. At night, the light spill is far worse than previously, despite the rugby club saying it would be less. This is not the case. The club also seems to be contravening the permission given as to when they may be used’.

Mr Mark Elliott, Applicant, spoke in support of the application and explained that adequate lighting was needed to provide a safe training environment.  He went on to inform the Committee that a timer had been installed to ensure that the lights were only used between the consented hours.  The offer of light shields, which had been refused by residents on the basis of visual amenity, remained open.

Mr Kevin Earl, Objector, spoke against the application raising concerns regarding the current location of the floodlights which was contrary to the application approved in 2016.  Local residents were significantly affected by the visual impact of the floodlights and light spillage.  Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the erection of eight apartments following demolition of the existing bungalow.

The application site was located on the south side of Tolmers Gardens in the settlement of Cuffley.  The road was a residential cul-de-sac close to the centre of Cuffley containing detached and semi-detached houses of one and two storeys with consecutive numbering.  The ground level rose along the street and the roadway curved so there was not a continuous building line.

The site comprised a detached bungalow sited on the east of the plot.  The site incorporated the end of the rear garden of No. 11 and a slice of the rear garden and front forecourt of No. 13.  Both of these neighbouring properties were two storey.  No. 13 had recently been converted into two self-contained flats (6/2017/2013/FULL).  Land levels on the site sloped downward from west to east which resulted in the application dwelling being at a noticeably lower level than No. 13. 

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because it had been called in by Councillor Sarson on the following grounds:

“This would be overdevelopment in a rural area and totally out of character.”

Mr Anthony Sarno, Applicant, spoke in support of the application referring to the need for smaller properties for those wishing to downsize and remain within the Cuffley area.  There was considerable support from local residents regarding this application and similar.

Mrs Ruth Rutherford, Objector, spoke against the application stating that a significant number of residents objected to the proposal which would be out of place and totally out of character of the narrow road which mainly comprised of detached family homes.  The proposed development would have a significant impact on the neighbouring properties which would be overshadowed, give an urban feel to the road and would exacerbate the parking issues currently experienced by residents.

Northaw and Cuffley Parish Councillor Andrea Allgood spoke against the application, citing the main points contained in the major objection to the proposal.  These included that the block would be out of character with Tolmers Gardens, over development of the site as the proposed mass scale and bulk of the proposal was unacceptable.  A plan for two semi-detached houses had already been refused for this site. 

Mr Roger Roberts, Supporter, spoke in favour of the application, explaining his own personal needs and that of his family.  Mr Roberts referred to the lack of availability of properties available which would allow for him and other local residents to downsize and remain in the Cuffley area.  The proposed development would allow for adult dependents to continue to live with their families, whereas retirement complexes would not.  He was of the view that easy accessibility to the shops and railway station would alleviate the parking problems currently experienced in the road.

Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor T.Lyons, seconded by Councillor A.Chesterman and

RESOLVED:

(10 voting for and 3 against)

That planning permission be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) detailing recent appeal decisions for the period 13 March 2019 to 10 April 2019.

RESOLVED:

That appeal decisions during the period 13 March 2019 to 10 April 2019 be noted.

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

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

The Committee sought an explanation as to why the Gypsy and Traveller applications had not yet been determined, and raised concerns about overcrowding on the Four Oaks site, in Welwyn. 

Officers advised that the Council were aware of the close proximity of the vehicles and caravan’s on the site and would liaise with the relevant departments to ascertain the situation.  An update would be provided to Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

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

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) relating to the performance of the Development Management Service over the three month period January to March 2019.

The Committee specifically commented on the positive level of activity in planning enforcement and the positive effect that the Principal Enforcement Officer has had since his arrival.

RESOLVED:

That the development management service performance in Quarter 4 of 2018/19 be noted.

The Chairman announced that the next meeting of the Development Management Committee had been rescheduled to Tuesday, 21st May 2019 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber.