Agenda item

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) setting out the erection of nine two bed houses and a community hall with associated parking and landscaping, following the demolition of the existing church and dwelling.

The application site extended to 2,400 sqm. in size and comprised two properties – the Diocesan Education Centre, accessed from Hall Grove, and a two storey dwelling to the rear, accessed from Cole Green Lane.  The two properties were separated by a 1.8m high fence.  The Education Centre was sited adjacent to the boundary with 9 Hall Grove.  Much of its curtilage was laid to hardstanding with a small patch of grass at the rear.  The centre was boarded up and was in a very poor state of repair.  The site was poorly maintained and was an unattractive element of the street scene.

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because it had been called-in by Councillor Weston who had made the following statement –

“I am extremely concerned about traffic congestion related to this site as Hall Grove gets congested already outside the shops, doctor's surgery and further down near the community centre and hospice. More cars coming out from and going into this site will only add to the mayhem.

There are not enough parking spaces on the site with only seven for the community hall and none of these is a disabled bay. There is only one space provided for five of the houses so there is bound to be over-spill into Hall Grove itself, making parking matters there worse.

I am concerned that as many new homes built in our area as possible are affordable, for local people. I would like to call this application in.”

Reverend Lauckner, (Applicant) spoke in favour of the application.

Mrs Duglan, (Objector) spoke against the application, highlighting a number of concerns, which included a significant loss of privacy of the neighbouring properties and increased traffic congestion.  The development would be intrusive and result in a loss of enjoyment of the neighbouring property’s garden space with noise, pollution and nuisance arising.  The proposed landscaping indicated the removal of established shrubs and trees which had implications for privacy and outlook. 

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Councillor J.Weston spoke against the proposed development, reiterating the reasons why she had called in the application.

Members acknowledged that, whilst the Lead Local Flood Authority had initially been consulted on the application, although it had subsequently been realised that this was unnecessary.  This was because the application had not been considered to be a major development due to the proposed number of units and overall floor space.  However, there remained significant concerns that the development would impact on the immediate vicinity and neighbouring properties due to the increased surface water.

Members, referring to the Officer’s report, expressed the view that it would be appropriate to require the applicant to provide details of a drainage scheme for the site to be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  This would ensure that adequate drainage was provided for the site and that the development did not result in discharge onto the highway.

It was then proposed by Councillor J.Boulton, seconded by Councillor S.Kasumu and

RESOLVED:

(12 voting for and 1 against)

That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional condition as follows:-

“Before any works are begun on site a surface water drainage scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted scheme shall include:

•      Proposals for the storage and discharge of surface water from the site at a controlled rate not exceeding 50% of current discharge rates

•      Details of all drainage and service routes, depth of excavations and proximity to buildings and trees.

The approved surface water drainage scheme shall be implemented entirely as approved before the dwellings/community building on site are first occupied.

Reason: In order to prevent/reduce the risk of flooding on-site and elsewhere and reduce flood risk overall in accordance with the aims of Policy R10 of the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan 2005”.

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

POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE STATEMENT

The decision has been made taking into account, where practicable and appropriate the requirements of paragraphs 186-187 of the National Planning Policy Framework and material planning considerations do not justify a decision contrary to the development plan (see Officer’s report which can be viewed on the Council's website or inspected at these offices).