MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE HELD ON
27 FEBRUARY 2006
*Cllr K Armstrong *Cllr R Taylor
*Cllr P Demonti (Chairman) *Cllr K Warnell
*Cllr P Gray *Cllr Miss C Woodman
*Cllr L Pinnell (Vice Chairman) Cllr J Wyllie
*Cllr Mrs N Symonds Cllr K Barnes (ex-officio)
* denotes present
Prior to the meeting, the Chairman welcomed Cllr Mrs Symonds, the newly elected member.
477. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Barnes and Cllr Wyllie.
478. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Cllr Armstrong Personal Planning Application 3/06/0106/FP/SCD
Personal Planning Application 3/06/0107/LB/SCD
Personal Planning Application 3/06/0112/FP/LH
Personal Planning Application 3/06/0165/FP/CD
Personal Planning Application 3/06/0210/FP/SCD
Personal Planning Application 3/06/0218/FP/LH
Cllr Demonti Personal Agenda Item 7, Street Naming
479. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 FEBRUARY 2006
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2006 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.
480. PLANNING NOTIFICATIONS
i) No objections were raised on the following applications:
3/05/2190/FP/SCD / Demolition of existing shed and 4 trees, formation of narrow boat mooring – amended schemeLand r/o Twyford House, Pig Lane
Applicant: Trevor Griffiths
3/06/2284/FP/SCD / Two storey side extension
86 Thorley Hill
Applicant: Mr D Lynch
3/06/0042/FP/PJC / Conservatory
5 Cromwell Close
Applicant: Nadia Pompili
3/06/0043/LC/PJC / Demolition of front porch
154 South Street
Applicant: Tom Gowlett
3/06/0099/FP/LH / External gantry for air conditioning condensers
17-19 Raynham Road
Applicant: NTL
3/06/0100/FP/CD / First floor rear extension over existing single storey (amended scheme)
39 Haymeads Lane
Applicant: Mr G Garrett
3/06/0106/FP/SCD / Internal refurbishment, external garden works and redecoration
The Cock, 2 Stansted Road
Applicant: Punch Taverns
Note: Cllr Armstrong withdrew from the meeting during the discussion which took place on this application
3/06/0107/LB/SCD / Internal refurbishment, external garden works and redecoration
The Cock, 2 Stansted Road
Applicant: Punch Taverns
Note: Cllr Armstrong withdrew from the meeting during the discussion which took place on this application
3/06/0112/FP/LH / Two storey side extension
12 The Green
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Wilmott
3/06/0161/FP/CD / Two storey side extension
10 Brooke Gardens
Applicant: Mr and Mrs S McCrone
3/06/0181/FP/LH / Single storey rear extension and replacement of store to study
15 Dove Close
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Brooking
3/06/0190/FP/SCD / First floor side extension
16 Ploughmans Close
Applicant: R Armstrong
3/06/0198/FP/CD / First floor front extension
29 Gerard Avenue
Applicant: Mr Blackaby
3/06/0202/FP/NB / Single storey side garage and single storey rear extension
11 Larchwood
Applicant: Mr A Partridge
3/06/0205/FP/CD / Two storey side extension
1 Greenhill Park
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Ahmed
3/06/0210/FP/SCD / Reconstruction of former shop demolished by fire
Blyth Farm, Hazel End
Applicant: Cortlet Developments Ltd
3/06/0211/FP/NB / Rear conservatory
76 Honeybourne
Applicant: Mr Stephen Pye
3/06/0220/FP/CD / First floor rear extension
6 Beechlands
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Goodchild
3/06/0225/FP/CD / Two storey side extension and internal alterations
157 Dunmow Road
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Horner
ii. Objections were raised on the following applications:
3/06/0051/FP/CD / Continued use of garage as habitable accommodation. Retrospective application16 Dukes Ride
Applicant: Anne Griffiths
Reason
i / The proposal would be contrary to the Town Council’s Policy BS002 - The loss of garage space to living accommodation, office or business spaces tended to cause extra on street parking and be detrimental to the street scene.
ii / The proposal would be detrimental to the street scene and contrary to the design of the houses in the area. Dukes Ride already suffered from parking problems which would be compounded by the development
3/06/0131/FP/SCD / Single storey rear extension
73 Apton Road
Applicant: Ms A Burnett
Reason: The proposed extension would be overbearing and out of keeping with the rest of the building and would be visually obtrusive to the adjacent properties.
3/06/0163/FP/LH / Demolition of conservatory, ground floor extension and first floor extension by raising roof
The Chase, Pig Lane
Applicant: Mr and Mrs K Short
Reason: Pig Lane was felt to be a sensitive area and the proposal would by virtue of its size and material alteration have a detrimental effect on the overall ambiance being totally incongruous with a rural setting
3/06/0165/FP/CD / Alterations of hipped roof to gables at either end and formation of dormer windows
37 Barrells Down Road
Applicant: Mr and Mrs McGarry
Reason:
i / The proposal would constitute an over development with an unacceptable degree of over looking to neighbours in close proximity to the site
ii / The design was felt to be of poor quality
iii. / The provision of flat roof dormers would be totally out of keeping and materially alter the overall ambiance of the street scene
3/06/0207/FP/CD / Two storey side extension
40 Parsonage Lane
Applicant: Richard Curley
Reason:
i / The proposed extension, by virtue of its form and design, would relate poorly to the character of the area
ii. / The extension, by virtue of its size and siting, would be unduly prominent and detrimental to the street scene
3/06/0218/FP/LH / Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension
11 Audrey Gardens
Applicant: Mrs A Williams
Reason: The proposed extension by reason of its siting and overbearing aspect would be within one metre of the boundary and would create a terracing effect. If permitted the proposal would be contrary to Policy BE5 of the East Hertfordshire Local Plan
iii. The following application was deferred:
3/06/2406/FP/NB / Pedestrian gateway in garden wall11 Grange Park
Applicant: Kirren and Diane Basavaraj
Reason:
To seek further information on the exact position of the pedestrian gateway in relation to the access onto the public highway
481. PLANNING DECISIONS
RESOLVED: that the attached list of planning decisions issued by East Herts Council be noted.
482. APPEALS
To note the following appeals to be determined by the written representation procedure:
3/05/1183/FP/SCD First floor side extension
27 The Stewarts
Appellant: Mr and Mrs N Mayhew
3/05/2038/FP/CD Proposed new bungalow and double garage in the garden to the side of
existing property
Twyford Orchard, Pig Lane
Appellant: Norman Brian Pigott
RESOLVED: that the above be noted
483. STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING
Development: Lewis Peasleys Yard, Stortford Hall Park (12 Properties)
Developer has suggested Peasleys Yard
RESOLVED: that the proposal proffered by the Developer – Peasleys Yard - be recommended for acceptance.
484. EAST HERTS COUNCIL: SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISALS SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT - CONSULTATION
Members had been circulated with a copy of the above document and they were of the opinion that the content was far too detailed and complex and the proposed achievements were inconclusive. With regard to the reference to affordable housing, the past history on the provision of such was not good and the question was raised as to what was affordable. It should be borne in mind that the average salary of people working in the Town did not compare with the high salaries payable to commuters. Rather than affordable housing, there was an extreme shortage of social housing in the Town.
The general feeling was that the content of the Appraisal was no more than a wish list, which basically was not achievable. A reference to a diminution in car usage was, in theory, commendable, but the reality of inadequate public transport and good communication links cast doubt on whether this was possible. It was a fact of life that there was a reliance on cars which was something the public had to accept.
Concern was expressed that there was no reference to achieving targets for renewable energy. Of even more concern was the fact that anything that was procured by the District Council, through the contents of this Appraisal could well be over-ruled by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. A great deal of the content was felt not to be sustainable.
In conclusion, and in order to meet the deadline of 16 March 2006, members were requested to formulate any comments they wished to make on the appraisal for submission to the Clerk in order for him to make a composite response.
485. UP-DATED REPORTS
i / CCTV, Dane Steet and The Causeway (First raised 23 Jan 06)A formal response had been received from Mr Will O’Neal (East Herts Council) with regard to relocating the Riverside camera to the Causeway/Dane Street junction. The initial reaction was that this would leave a void in the coverage of the primary Town Centre coverage from North Street to the end of Anchor Street and also that such a switch would not be achievable within the timescales of the project (planning consent etc). Tenders for the existing site had been received. A suggestion was made that the possibility of adding another camera as part of the Jackson Square area development would be considered when the development came on stream.
ii / 27/27A Northgate End and The Falcon Public House (First raised 23 Jan 06)
Letter sent to Peter Biggs, East Herts Council 26 January 2006. Response awaited.
Members were concerned at the lack of response on this matter and to what they felt to be discourtesy shown to the Town Council. The Clerk was asked to raise this matter again with Peter Biggs to secure a satisfactory outcome.
iii / Street lights, Bridge Street roundabout (First raised 23 Jan 06)
Letter sent to Peter Massie, Hertfordshire Highways 26 January 2006. Response awaited.
486. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
i) Town Plan (Cllr Pinnell)
An e-mail had been received from Claire Pullen (Community Plan/Partnerships Manager- East Herts Council) confirming that once the Local Plan Enquiry had been completed in March, both she and Simon Andrews would like to attend a meeting of the Planning Committee to give guidance and advice on producing a Town Plan. It was proposed that the visit would be possibly late April or early May.
ii) Litter Bins (Cllr Miss Woodman)
iii) Protection of Privacy of Users of the Paddling Pool from the New Development
(Cllr Armstrong)
487. URGENT BUSINESS
i. Traffic Safety – Church Street
Cllr Warnell referred to a concern raised at a recent Saturday Surgery, with regard to the danger caused to pedestrians from traffic accelerating from South Street, along Church Street. Matters were compounded because of the narrowness and, in some part, no existing footway and the presence of residential wheelie bins positioned on the footway which forced pedestrians onto the highway.
Members were of the opinion that an unused section of the Apton Road car park could be utilised to accommodate larger bins, thus obviating the need for bins to be placed on the footway. It was accepted that this might represent an inconvenience to residents but it was felt that the solution proposed would overcome the dangers to pedestrians who regularly use Church Street to access other areas of the Town.
The Clerk was asked to write to East Herts Council explaining the concerns and proffering the aforementioned suggestion.
ii Lighting out of Phase
Members referred to a number of areas in the Town where lights were either malfunctioning or totally out of phase, viz:-
Bridge Street/Link Road
Hockerill Street
Apton Road
Market Square
Northern Park- St Michael’s Mead – particular reference to lamp column no. 6 which had never been in lighting since being erected.
iii. Grant – Coal Yard Site
Cllr Taylor referred to a recent press release from East Herts Council which had been notified to members by e-mail, concerning the £2.19m grant procured in respect of the Coal Yard Site. £2m of the grant being to provide a bridge over the river Stort.
Cllr Taylor was disappointed to note that the information had receive greater press coverage.
iv. Castle Mound Up-date
Cllr Pinnell tabled the attached for members’ information.
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