Agenda item

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the erection of 4 storey car park comprising 420 parking spaces, motorcycle and cycle parking, storage and ancillary space and associated landscaping and public realm works to Robin Hood Lane.

The application site was located to the south of The Common and was currently used as a surface car park which had 148 car parking spaces. The site was bound to the north by The Common, and to the east, south and west by Robin Hood Lane which provided access to the rear of properties within the town centre.

The application sought permission for the erection of a four storey, 420 space multi storey car park (MSCP). Of the 420 spaces, 51 were proposed to be reduced size spaces, 18 disabled spaces and 10 parent and child spaces. Space was also proposed within the application site for the parking of 12 motorcycles. Access to the MSCP would be from Robin Hood Lane, via The Common. Public realm improvements were also proposed to Robin Hood Lane.

This application was presented to the Development Management Committee because the application was a major development and the Borough Council had an interest in the land which was the subject of the application.

Mr A.Shapland spoke for the application saying that Hatfield required an ambitious and appropriate strategy to protect and promote vitality and growth of the town centre. White Lion Square was delivered last year and this was the next chapter. The heart of this strategy was a reduction in the surface area of car parking which account for a total of one third of the area of the town centre. It did not look to reduce the number of car parking spaces. The multi storey car park was identified as being the most appropriate solution for the regeneration of Hatfield Town Centre. It would release several sites for development

Ms J.Newlan MBE, Pro Vice Chancellor Business and International Development, University of Hertfordshire, spoke as a supporter saying that the Hatfield Renewal Partnership was set up to in 2015 to work towards the improvement of various aspects of Hatfield. The Partnership undertook extensive consultation and engagement with local businesses, shoppers, residents and the education sector. The Hatfield Renewal Framework was published in 2016. The questionnaires returned during the events identified improvements to the town centre to be the most critical and defining element of change needed for Hatfield. The Partnerships work identified the opportunity for a new multi storey car park to efficiently consolidate town centre parking in to one central car park and would allow some existing car parks which took up significant space in the town centre to be made available for new commercial floor space, additional homes and aid the vitality of town centre businesses. The existence and continued work of the Partnership was an important element in securing funding for two key town centre projects from the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Councillor M.Eames-Petersen, Hatfield Town Council, spoke against the application saying that there were concerns that the temporary carparks being used during the development of the multi storey car park did not amount to 158 spaces. There were also concerns over disabled access to the pharmacy and doctor’s surgery and the quantity of cars discharging onto a small road.

(Note: Councillor C.Juggins withdraw for this item and did not take part in the discussion or vote due to a pecuniary interest by virtue of owning a business near the site).

Following discussion, it was proposed and seconded by Councillors S.Elam and B.Fitzsimon and

RESOLVED:

(10 in favour, I against, I abstention)

That planning permission be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out in report including alterations to;

Condition 1

No development shall commence until a Construction Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the construction of the development shall only be carried out in accordance with the approved Plan. The Construction Traffic Management Plan shall include details of:

a)    Construction vehicle numbers, type, routing;

b)    Traffic management requirements;

c)    Construction and storage compounds (including areas designated for car parking);

d)    Siting and details of wheel washing facilities;

e)    Cleaning of site entrances, site tracks and the adjacent public highway;

f)     Timing of construction activities to avoid school pick-up/drop-off times;

g)    Provision of sufficient on-site, or suitable off-site, parking prior to commencement of construction activities;

h)    Post construction restoration/reinstatement of the working areas and temporary access to the public highway.

REASON: In order to protect highway safety and the amenity of other users of the public highway and rights of way in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Condition 6 Drawing Numbers:

REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans and details.