Agenda item

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

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) setting out the erection of 4no front, 4no rear and 2no side dormer windows, 5no front and 5no rear roof lights to facilitate conversion of roof to include the creation of 2no 1-bedroom and 2no 2-bedroom flats with associated parking, cycle store and landscaping.

The application site was situated to the western side of Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield and comprised a 3-storey building with associated car parking on a 0.16ha plot, within the Old Hatfield Conservation Area.

The reason the application had been presented to the Development Management Committee was because Hatfield Town Council objected.

“Members were not aware that the Job Centre in Hatfield was targeted for closure. They do not see in the application details of where it will be relocated. They wish to raise concerns regarding parking, loss of more commercial space in Old Hatfield to residential units and lack of any amenity area for the new residential units.”

Vikki Davies (Agent) spoke in favour of the application, reinforcing the Planning Officer’s conclusion in the report.

Ken McGuiness, representing The Old Hatfield Residents Association spoke against the application, raising concerns that it was overdevelopment of the site and contrary to Gascoyne Cecil Estate’s project to revitalize Old Hatfield.

Hatfield Town Councillor James Broach spoke against the application, stating that it was overdevelopment of the site and would set a precedent for converting commercial space to residential.  He raised additional concerns about the noise, lack of green space and parking for residents.   

A discussion followed which in the main acknowledged that a roof conversion would have minimal impact on the economic vitality of the town.

It was then proposed by Councillor N.Pace and seconded by Councillor F.Thompson and

RESOLVED:

(10 voting for, 1 against)

That planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of Officers. 

In addition:

DRAWING NUMBERS

(1)       The development/works shall not be started and completed other than in accordance with the approved plans and details:

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