Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Principal The Principal Planner (Implementation) introduced the supplementary planning document. A Development Framework SPD, containing development principles for the Marshmoor site (also referred to as the Hatfield Innovation Campus by the Landowner for marketing purposes) has been prepared by the Landowner and their consultant team, in collaboration with officers from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council. These principles ensure the site is planned comprehensively to deliver a high-quality employment site and to ensure that the site integrates as well as possible with the rest of Welham Green. The document has been prepared in line with the Council’s Approach to Master planning Guidance note which was endorsed by the Council in March 2024.

During the discussion the following points were raised:

• A Member raised a point regarding flooding within the report and suggested members of the public would like to be reassured about the flooding risk.
• The Principal Planner (Implementation) replied that within the draft SPD there is a flooding map constraints plan. The flooding plan identifies areas most sensitive to flooding in particular the southern area around the smaller of the two parcels which is the closer of the two to the station.  This would inform future development and would not be developed on, as per the policy requirement.
• A Member raised a part of the proposal stating that housing should be for employees, and it should be affordable and asked for clarification.
• The Principal Planner (Implementation) responded that the housing would not be part of the borough’s normal housing supply. The Landowner has an aspiration for accommodation reserved for people working on the site and it would become part of the offer for people working on the site. Specifically, for those on some sort of placement or short-term contract, instead of having to look for somewhere to rent for six months they can be offered accommodation as part of their package.
• A Member asked if the accommodation would be owned by whoever buys the Industrial units.
• The Principal Planner (Implementation) responded that there would not be industrial units, the site is for science and innovation. He further explained that the dwellings would be in the same ownership and tied to the employment use through a legal agreement.
• A Member asked for clarification regarding the land no longer being considered green belt.
• The Principal Planner (Implementation) explained that until the local plan was adopted the green belt boundary was the railway line, so it started at the railway line and included part of the site. The site was promoted by the Landowner for employment, and it was seen to be the most appropriate way of meeting the employment requirement through the plan period. The green belt boundary was moved and is now the road rather than the railway line and the whole site has been removed from the greenbelt as a result of the adoption of the local plan.
• A Member requested that when the public engagement event occurs to make sure it is at a place and time where it will engage as much of the public as possible and to let councillors know about the engagement so they can encourage as many residents to come as possible.
• The Principal Planner (Implementation) confirmed they have been in touch with the Landowner and are looking to use the Memorial Hall in Welham Green in the afternoon and evening on a date to be confirmed. This would allow for a large group of users to be able to attend.
• The Planning & Policy Implementation Manager explained that the Parish Council have sent a representative to the liaison group, and they have offered to help with promoting the engagement event also.

RESOLVED:

The Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel unanimously agreed to recommend to Cabinet that

a)         the Marshmoor Masterplan, as detailed in Appendix A, be taken forward for public consultation for a period of six weeks.

b)         any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content prior to consultation be delegated to Assistant Director (Planning) in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning; and

c)         if unanimously agreed by the Panel, for the decision to be taken by the executive ember using their delegated powers under paragraph 18.1(b) of the Cabinet procedure rules.