Agenda item

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of 3 building comprising of 71 flats and 1,110 sqm of flexible commercial uses (use class A1, A2, A3, A4, D1 and D2) (including a small office element (B1A)) and associated works to include car and bicycle parking, plant and refuse storage and public realm works.

The site (which is some 0.71 hectares in size) is located at the eastern end of Hatfield Town Centre, bounded to the east by Wellfield Road and Queensway. Much of the application site is currently vacant (following the demolition of the building at no. 1 Town Centre), although a two storey building currently exists at nos. 3 – 9 Town Centre. Pedestrian access runs through the site into the town centre from Wellfield Road, Queensway and the town beyond. The site is also occupied by an existing short stay public car park (the car park contains 74 spaces and is operated by the Borough Council) which is accessed from Kennelwood Lane.

Planning permission was previously sought for the erection of 2 buildings on the site comprising 1,194sqm commercial floor space (A1 & A3) and 70 flats (15 1-bed, 55 2-bed) (ref. 6/2017/0606/MAJ). Following concerns raised in respect of the impact of the proposal on heritage assets, the application was withdrawn and the applicant undertook discussions with the relevant statutory consultees and third parties to seek to agree parameters for development on this site.

The application is presented to the Committee because the application is a major development and the Borough Council is the applicant, and Hatfield Town Council have submitted a major objection to the proposed development for the reasons set out below:

“The Committee wish to make a major objection due to this application having insufficient allocated car spaces. The car parking also needs to be shared with shops and a health centre. The Committee wished to encourage and suggest underground parking for this application”.

Mr A.Shapland, Agent, spoke for the application saying that Hatfield is a town with huge potential.  He said that the development will be the next chapter for Hatfield.  The project included 71 apartments and nearly 11,000 sq ft of flexible commercial accommodation.  These uses will help to revitalise the eastern end of the town and bring much-needed housing right into the town centre.   The development is a vital component of the phased regeneration of Hatfield Town Centre.  It will replace a series of dilapidated buildings with high quality residential apartments and the new commercial accommodation will re-energise this part of Hatfield.

Mr A.Edwards, spoke as an objector, saying that there are reasonable cycle routes in Hatfield – For example Hatfield Garden Village, Business Park and Alban Way. The Hatfield 2030+ Strategy says they want to ‘improve the experience of cycling and improve connections across Hatfield and breakdown the east-west town division. Currently Queensway runs through the middle of the route and acts as a significant barrier to the town centre. People have to go through the horrible subways to go in to the town.

Councillor J.Brennan, Hatfield Town Council, spoke against the application saying that the development is welcome and long overdue.  It will add extra retail units and extra dwellings which will all require parking.  The idea of dual or triple use of the car park for residents, shoppers and workers is great in theory but will be inadequate in reality.  Cycling is to be encouraged but the new development is on a dangerous roundabout with a smelly and graffiti covered subway.  A well-connected cycle route is needed to ensure the safe cycling. The green issue of electric charging points for the car park seems to be overlooked, while Hatfield Town Council consider it essential as part of the sustainable way forward.

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

RESOLVED:

(6 in favour and 1 against)

That planning permission be APPROVED subject to the completion of a satisfactory S106 planning agreement and the agreement of any necessary extensions to the statutory determination period to complete this agreement for.