Agenda item

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the retention of the re-sited 2 x 15m high floodlight columns and lamps measuring a further 0.5 metres and a reduction of the re-sited two columns to 12.5m with lamps measuring a further 0.5 metres.

This application was deferred from Development Management Committee on 25 April 2019 for negotiation to take place between the Council, the Rugby Club and residents regarding the height of the columns adjacent to the Scotts View properties. Amendments to the scheme were discussed at a meeting between members of the Planning Department, representatives of the Rugby Club and residents of the neighbouring properties on 4 June 2019.

The proposed development had been updated to take account of the amendments which had been discussed.

A representation had been received from the occupiers of 4 Scotts View stating that they support the amendment to the application which would reduce the height of the lighting columns adjacent to the Scotts View properties to 12.5m as it would reduce the light spill and the visual impact of the lights on that property. The representation stated that they would support a condition that the light spill on the Scotts View houses be checked after installation and should not be in excess of the maximum 1.1 lux, the permitted maximum.

This application was presented to the Committee because it had been called in by Councillor H.Bromley.

‘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’.

Late representation was received in support of the application.

Following discussion, it was proposed and seconded by Councillors S.Boulton and P.Shah and

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

Planning permission be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out in the report and subject to amended conditions 1 and 4 as follows:

CONDITION 1 - The floodlights hereby approved shall only be used between the hours of 19:00 and 21:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and shall provide no form of illumination outside of those hours.

REASON: In order to protect residential amenity in accordance with policies D1 & D2 of the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

CONDITION 4 - Within two weeks of the reduction in height of the two lighting columns adjacent to the Scotts View properties, in the locations shown on drawing number 002A, the level of vertical luminance at the centre of the rear windows of the Scotts View properties shall be measured, at a time to be agreed by the Local Planning Authority during the hours of darkness, and the results shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval in writing.

The level of vertical luminance shall be maintained at no greater than the acceptable 5 lux luminance levels. The agreed level shall then be maintained in perpetuity.

REASON: In order to confirm the levels of luminance of the amended lighting columns and to ensure an acceptable effect upon the adjacent residential properties along Scotts View.