Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Short with Cllr Thusu substituting, from Cllr Walsh with Cllr Musk substituting, from Cllr Trigg with Cllr Kingsbury substituting, from Cllr Gardner with Cllr Weston substituting and from Cllr Shah with Cllr Hobbs substituting..

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2024 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2024 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.

Cllr Kingsbury and Cllr Thusu declared they are members of Hertfordshire County Council. C Watson declared she is also a member of Hatfield Town Council.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Development Management Officer, Planning introduced the application which sought Outline planning permission is sought for the demolition of existing buildings (use class C2) and erection of up to 72no. residential dwellings (use class C3), with all matters reserved. The application was before the Committee as it had been called in by Cllr Zukowskyj.

Dan Blake, agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee as follows:

My name is Dan Blake, senior planner at DHA Planning. I speak on behalf of the applicant. We have worked very closely with officers via planning performance agreement to ensure the application aligns with what is envisioned with the local plan. We are grateful for the proactive approach taken by officers and commend the very thorough committee report recommending approval. As The committee will be aware this application is made in outline form with all matters reserved for future consideration. The application does, however, offer an upper cap on unit numbers and includes a refined indicative layout to show how a high -quality scheme could come forward.

The site at present is occupied by buildings which are formerly used as a care home for up to 168 people. In this case, however, the existing buildings are not fit for purpose as a care home, not suitable for meeting current needs for care provision, would not be financially viable refurbishment and accordingly it has been established that there is no demand for the site to remain as a care home. In terms of aligning with the principles of the local plan and national policy the development proposes an indicative mix including one and two bed apartments as well as two, three and four bed houses to meet a range of local needs. It will reflect local density at a predominantly two -story scale, provides a layout which is suitable with regard to surrounding land uses and applies vacant building credits in line with recently refreshed national policy. Vacant building credits are available to all qualifying development as a means of incentivizing brownfield land.

The vacant building credit policy has been operational nationally for over 10 years and has helped unlock many sites across England in this time. Members will note that the government has retained its commitment to vacant building credits as a means to incentivize in brownfield residential development in the new NPPF. Councils may, if they wish, progress local policies which modify the application of VBCs but, as identified in the committee report, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council apply the national scheme as a means to support in brownfield development. We highlight that any residual affordable housing requirement, once VBCs are applied, will be captured by the section 106, ensuring that affordable housing policy is fully met.

Overall, the application offers the Council a means to address the current housing crisis by utilizing a sustainably located brownfield site with further details secured via reserve matters submissions. The new NPPF published last week introduces an even stronger presumption towards approving brownfield sites i.e. unless substantial harm  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Development Management Services Manager introduced the application seeking planning permission for public realm enhancements including a new layout, landscaping, paving, play equipment, lighting and street furniture. The proposal also involves alterations to land levels to remove the barrier between the shops and the open space following the demolition of the existing redundant market trading hut. The application was before the committee because the Assistant Director (Planning) considered it prudent for the application to be considered by Development Management Committee.

There were no registered speakers for this item.

During the discussion the following points were raised:

·         Members were pleased that Hatfield Town Centre was getting the same due care and attention as Welwyn Garden City. 

·         A member raised an issue in the report regarding the bus interchange due to four separate stops being required for different routes and whether it was going to make it complicated for people.

·         The Development Management Services Manager explained that it would actually make it easier for people to get to the bus stop.

·         A member asked if shopkeepers had been consulted and whether officers thought any of them would attempt to claim compensation.

·         The Development Management Services Manager, Planning responded that compensation claims were not a planning matter. He confirmed that local shopkeepers have been consulted as part of the planning process. The proposed changes would make it easier for people to access the shops.

·         A member voice disappointment that there will no longer be public toilets if talking about making life easier especially for parents and older people.  Also there will be lots of waste bin. In the green spaces belonging to Hatfield Town Council bins have phone numbers on for people to call in if a bin is full and needs emptying, it would be good if the Borough had a similar policy. She also voiced concerns that the railings should be kept parallel with Queensway as talk of removal of railings behind the bus stop could allow children to rush into the road.

·         The development management services Manager state it was not part of the proposal to include toilets. Officers viewed it acceptable without. Process of waste collection is another council department’s remit to manage. In terms of the railings, a lot of railings have been removed and the proposal is to open the area but it won’t be as simple for children to run into the road.

·         Members asked if there will be a maintenance plan to ensure the facilities are kept looking nice.

·         The confirmed there is a condition request in a management maintenance plan which will be required to be submitted before this is constructed.

·         A member asked if the trees will be maintained.

·         The Development Management Services Manager confirmed that some will be lost, but there would be additional trees planted.

·         A Member asked if there will be a cycle way along the path as he felt the area was too small an area and could be hazardous.

·         The Development Management Services Manager responded that it has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 191.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Development Management Services Manager introduced the report.

The Committee noted the report.

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Development Management Services Manager introduced the report.

The Committee noted the report.

Chris’ last DMC. The Chair announced that it was the Assistant Director, Planning, Chris Carter’s last DMC as he was leaving. He thanked Chris for all his guidance and support provided and it was always delivered in the most considerate clear and professional manner. Secondly, on behalf of all members and residents in Welwyn and Hatfield he thanked Chris for leading the planning department. Amongst other achievements the local plan was put through and within constraints the department works very hard to deliver the best for Welwyn and Hatfield and Chris has been key to that. 

A member added his thanks at how extremely empathetic Chris was without changing his position and providing an understanding of what the law is.

All Members thanked Chris for his support, wise words and patience and wished him luck in the future.