Agenda and draft minutes

To note any substitution of Committee Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Goldwater with Cllr Quinton substituting, from Cllr Shah with Cllr Musk Substituting and from Cllr Gardner with Cllr Weston substituting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2025  (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2025 were approved as a correct record.

No notifications for urgent business were received.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

            There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the application which sought full planning permission for the erection of two detached two storey houses with accommodation in the roof space, following the demolition of the existing detached property and the subdivision of the existing plot. The original house has already been demolished.

The application was before the committee because Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council had raised a major objection to the application on the following grounds:

1)         The two detached properties constitute an overdevelopment of the plot.

2)         The size and design of the properties is out of character for the neighbourhood.

3)         Councillors took note of the various concerns regarding privacy and overlooking raised by the neighbouring properties.

George Matson, applicant, addressed the Committee as follows:

The application site contains an oversized vacant plot. The previous dwelling on the site was demolished as part of consent for replacement dwelling, measuring circa 4 ,500 square feet. This application now seeks the erection of two circa 2 ,200 square feet properties, which would sit more comfortably within the plot and street scene compared to the existing approval. It should be noted that the application has received no objections from any technical consultees in addition to receiving the full support of the planning officer.

There was an objection by the parish council, which has resulted in this application being heard by this committee this evening. I'll consider each of the parish's concerns below.

Density. The parish felt the two proposed properties constituted an over development of the site. The proposed application is smaller in terms of square feet compared to the existing plan commissioned which they did not object to. As noted within the officer's report there are variations along Hill Rise in terms of plot widths and lengths. The proposed dwellings are a similar example to other plots within the street such as 29a and 31 Hill Rise, both having comparable plot widths of 9 and 10 metres. This led to the officer's report stating that the scheme would follow a similar linear pattern of  development with length and regular shape plots, concluding the site would not appear overdeveloped in comparison to the surrounding density and character.

Size and design. The officer report noted there are variations in the scale and appearance of the properties in the immediate surrounding area The neighbouring property at 43 Hill Rise is a large, modern, white rendered property, whilst 42 Hill Rise is an ageing chalet bungalow. The ridge heights of the proposed dwelling would be no higher than the approved property on the application site, while also following the topographical changes in levels along the road.

In terms of the scheme's appearance, the hip and pitch roofs reflect the existing nearby dwellings, as well as utilising traditional materials which would reflect the street scene. The officers conclude in their report that the development would be in keeping with the overall visual character of the area, the amount of hard standing would be proportionate to the size of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 207.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Development Management Services Manager introduced the report.

During the Discussion the following points were raised:

·                A member asked if officers know what the average cost to the council has been with regard to the appeals.

·                The Assistant Director for Planning confirmed there have been no cost awards related to the appeals.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the report.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Development Management Services Manager introduced the report.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the report.