THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Development Control Committee held in the Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Rickmansworth, on 17December 2009 from 7.30pm to 9.07pm.
Present: Councillors Geoffrey Dunne (Chairman), Chris Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Phil Brading, Barbara Green, Paula Hiscocks, David Major, Amrit Mediratta, Ann Shaw OBE, Ron Spellen and Chris Whately-Smith.
Officers: Laurence Moore, Marie Harding, Claire Lewington and Sarah Haythorpe.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chris Hayward and Richard Struck.
Also in attendance: Councillor Ralph Sangster.
DC111/09 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Development Control Committee meeting held on 19November 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
DC112/09 NOTICE OF OTHER BUSINESS
The Committee were asked to note the receipt of a petition received in respect of the provision of play equipment at the Franklins Development. The petition had been signed by 69 residents with regard to the development at Maple Lodge Close, Maple Cross. As part of the terms of the planning permission, there was a requirement to install a play area. To date the play area had not been provided. The residents’ petition requests a ban on the installation of the play area in order to deter anti social behaviour and to promote safety for the residents. Officers were in discussion with the Developer and the Police with regard to this matter. Ward Members would be kept informed of the progress.
RESOLVED:
that the information be noted.
DC113/09 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor David Major declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 15 as a Member of the Parish Council Planning Committee and left the room during the consideration of this item.
09/1802/FUL – District Council Application: Construction of a footpath link to College Road from an existing footpath on the North side of the Leavesden Country Park at LEAVESDEN COUNTRY PARK, COLLEGE ROAD, ABBOTS LANGLEY, HERTFORDSHIRE, for Three Rivers District Council
Councillor Chris Lloyd declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 16 as a Member of the Church and left the room during the consideration of this item.
09/1810/FUL – New front, side and rear extensions and replacement windows at CROXLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, 225BALDWINS LANE, CROXLEY GREEN, WD3 3LH for MrMSteere
DC114/09 09/1304/FUL – Two storey side and rear extension, single storey rear extension and conversion of outbuilding to residential accommodation at 9CHORLEYWOOD BOTTOM, CHORLEYWOOD, RICKMANSWORTH, HERTS, WD3 5JB for MrGary Teden
The Planning Officer reported that since the last meeting, the plans had been amended to remove the hipped roof between the outbuilding and the two storey rear extension. A flat roof link was proposed which was considered acceptable. The roof of the outbuilding would not be altered which would give the appearance of the outbuilding being detached from the main dwelling.
Two further letters of objection had been received following re-consultation stating the amendment did not change their views as detailed in previous letters that the size of the development was inappropriate for a designated Conservation Area; the proposed development would blight the view down their garden from the rear elevation of the living room and both upstairs bedrooms; the development would increase the likelihood and extent of back-up flooding and the development would adversely affect the amenities and value of their property. All these comments were similar to previous objections.
The comment which made reference to the Chorleywood Conservation Area Appraisal, which was out for consultation, had not yet been adopted and was not a material planning consideration.
Councillor Barbara Green said the application had been deferred for a site visit and to receive an acceptable design. This was a sensitive site with Grade II listed buildings in close proximity. She was now satisfied with the amendments which would be more sympathetic to the proposed Conservation Area and moved the recommendation to delegate to the Director of Community and Environment Services to consider any further representations received and to grant planning permission subject to conditions.
Councillor Amrit Mediratta said at the November meeting the proposal had been acceptable and this new design was also acceptable and he seconded the proposal to grant planning permission.
Councillor Ann Shaw asked if an informative could be added suggesting a landscaping scheme.
On being put to the Committee the proposal to delegate to the Director of Community and Environmental Services to consider any further representations received and to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to conditions and an additional informative suggesting a landscaping scheme was CARRIED the voting being unanimous.
RESOLVED:-
that the decision be delegated to the Director of Community and Environmental Services to consider any further representations received and that PLANNING PERMISSION BE GRANTED subject to the following conditions:-
C1 The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.
REASON: In pursuance of Section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
C2 Before the building operations hereby permitted are commenced, samples and details of the proposed external materials shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and no external materials shall be used other than those approved.
REASON: To ensure that the external appearance of the building is satisfactory in accordance with Policies GEN3, C1 and Appendix 2 of the Three Rivers Local Plan 1996-2011.
C3 Immediately following the implementation of this permission, notwithstanding the provisions of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment No 2) Order 2008 (or any other order revoking and re-enacting that order with or without modification), no additional windows or similar openings shall be constructed in the rear elevations or rear roof slopes of the extensions hereby permitted except for any which may be shown on the approved drawing(s).
REASON: To safeguard the residential amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties in accordance with Policy GEN3 and Appendix2 of the Three Rivers Local Plan 1996-2011.
C4 Before the first occupation of the building/extension hereby permitted the kitchen window located to the rear of the outbuilding; shall be fitted with purpose made obscured glazing and shall be top level opening only at 1.7m above the floor level of the room in which the window is installed. The windows shall be permanently retained in that condition thereafter.
REASON: To safeguard the amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring residential properties in accordance with Policy GEN3 and Appendix2 of the Three Rivers Local Plan 1996-2011.
INFORMATIVES:
I1 Given the site circumstances, including development on adjoining site(s), and the provisions of Policies GEN3, C1 and Appendices 2 and 3 of the Three Rivers Local Plan 1996- 2011 (adopted 2001), the proposed residential extension (subject to the conditions attached to this permission) would not have a significant adverse effect on the residential amenities of any neighbouring properties or otherwise result in demonstrable harm.
I2 The applicant is encouraged to incorporate energy saving and water harvesting measures when implementing this permission. Information is available from the Council’s Building Control Section, who may be contacted on 01923 727138, and on the website www.threeriversbuildingcontrol.co.uk. Any external changes to the building which may be subsequently required should be discussed with the Council’s Development Control Section prior to the commencement of work.
I3 The applicant is advised that the Government has introduced new fees for the written discharge of conditions. Requests can be made by letter or by application form. Forms are available on our website together with further details for the new charges. The fees are payable per request and not per condition. Requests made without the appropriate fee will be returned unanswered. The fees are £85 per request (or £25 where the related permission was for extending or altering a dwellinghouse or other development in the curtilage of a dwellinghouse).
I4 To ensure that the rural nature of Chorleywood Common Conservation Area is preserved the applicant is invited to implement a soft landscaping scheme that includes the planting of an additional tree within the dwelling’s amenity space.
DC115/09 09/1438/ADV - Advertisement Consent: Erection of 6 metres flagpole with 1.8m by 0.9m flag at CHORLEYWOOD HOUSE ESTATE, RICKMANSWORTH ROAD, RICKMANSWORTH, for MrsKay Fitzgerald, Three Rivers District Council
Councillor Barbara Green noted the objection by Chorleywood Parish Council regarding the position of the flag pole in relation to the cemetery. She said it would be difficult to find another suitable location which could not be seen from the cemetery.
Councillor David Major advised that West Herts Crematorium had been advertising their green flag for 12 months. 3,000 services had been held at the crematorium and no comments or complaints had been received. He moved the recommendation that advertisement consent be granted subject to conditions, seconded by Councillor Ron Spellen.
On being put to the Committee the proposal to GRANT ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT was CARRIED the voting being 9 For, 0 Against and 1 Abstention.
RESOLVED:-
that ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT be GRANTED, subject to the following conditions:-
C1 The period of the validity of this permission is for five years commencing from the date of the decision notice.
C2 No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.
C3 No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to:
(a) Endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);
(b) Obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or
(c) Hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.
C4 Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.
C5 Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.
C6 Where an advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity
INFORMATIVE:
I1 Subject to the conditions attached to this permission, the flagpole and flag would be in compliance with Policies GEN1, C1, GB1, N1, N2, T7 and Appendix 1 of the Three Rivers Local Plan 1996-2011. Part III of The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended) and PPG19 (Outdoor Advertisement Control), and would not have a significant adverse effect on the amenities of any neighbouring properties to such an extent to justify the refusal of advertisement consent, or otherwise result in demonstrable harm.
DC116/09 09/1439/ADV - Advertisement Consent: Erection of 6 metres flagpole with 1.8m by 0.9m flag at THE AQUADROME, FROGMOOR LANE, RICKMANSWORTH, for Mrs Kay Fitzgerald, Three Rivers District Council
Councillor Chris Whately-Smith moved the recommendation that advertisement consent be granted, seconded by Councillor Ron Spellen.
Councillor Paula Hiscocks was concerned that only two neighbourhood consultations had taken place for the Chorleywood House Estate application and four for this application. Additional neighbours to these sites should have been consulted. The Planning Officer reported that two site notices had been placed on the bridge near Frogmore Lane and adjacent to the application site to enable both pedestrians and car users using the Aquadrome to be notified of the application.
On being put to the Committee the proposal to GRANT ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT was CARRIED the voting being unanimous.
RESOLVED:-
that ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT be GRANTED, subject to the following conditions:-
C1 The period of the validity of this permission is for five years commencing from the date of the decision notice.
C2 No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.
C3 No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to;
(a) Endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);
(b) Obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or
(c) Hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.
C4 Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.
C5 Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.
C6 Where an advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity
INFORMATIVE:
I1 Subject to the conditions attached to this permission, the flagpole and flag would be in compliance with Policies GEN1, GB1, T7 and Appendix1 of the Three Rivers Local Plan 1996-2011. Part III of The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended) and PPG19 (Outdoor Advertisement Control), and would not have a significant adverse effect on the amenities of any neighbouring properties to such an extent to justify the refusal of advertisement consent, or otherwise result in demonstrable harm.
DC117/09 09/1590/FUL - Single storey side/rear extension with pitched roof with skylights at 95 LOWER ROAD, CHORLEYWOOD, RICKMANSWORTH, WD35LA for MrNBird
The Planning Officer reported that an additional letter from the same objector had been received in response to the amended plans, raising the same points as detailed in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.
Councillor Barbara Green said that the neighbours at number 93 had raised concerns about the application. The Conservation Officer had stated that as long as the extension would not be visible from the public domain and was built with materials to match the external surfaces it would not compromise the design and character of the property and should be approved.