Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting (these are circulated separately)

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 November were not yet confirmed by the Members present as they were still under review by planning officers.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Oguchi, Riddick and Symington.

Councillor Stevens substituted for Councillor Symington.

Councillor Durrant arrived at 7:13pm.

To receive any declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends

a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered -

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest

becomes apparent and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal
interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)           may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw

to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct For Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they

should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

It is requested that Members declare their interest at the beginning of the relevant agenda item and it will be noted by the Committee Clerk for inclusion in the minutes.

Councillor Guest asked Members to remember to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary or other Interests at the beginning of the relevant planning application.

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements or ask questions in accordance with the rules as to public participation.

You need to inform the council in advance if you wish to speak by contacting Member Support on Tel: 01442 228209 or by email: Member.support@dacorum.gov.uk

The Development Management Committee will finish at 10.30pm and any unheard applications will be deferred to the next meeting.

There are limits on how much of each meeting can be taken up with people having their say and how long each person can speak for.  The permitted times are specified in the table above and are allocated for each of the following on a 'first come, first served basis':

·         Town/Parish Council and Neighbourhood Associations;

·         Objectors to an application;

·         Supporters of the application.

Every person must, when invited to do so, address their statement or question to the Chairman of the Committee.

Every person must after making a statement or asking a question take their seat to listen to the reply or if they wish join the public for the rest of the meeting or leave the meeting.

The questioner may not ask the same or a similar question within a six month period except for the following circumstances:

(a)       deferred planning applications which have foregone a significant or material change since originally being considered

(b)       resubmitted planning applications which have foregone a significant or material change

(c)       any issues which are resubmitted to Committee in view of further facts or information to be considered.

At a meeting of the Development Management Committee, a person, or their representative, may speak on a particular planning application, provided that it is on the agenda to be considered at the meeting.

Please note: If an application is recommended for approval, only objectors can invoke public speaking and then supporters will have the right to reply. Applicants can only invoke speaking rights where the application recommended for refusal.

Councillor Guest reminded Members and the public about the rules regarding public participation as follows:

For each application the officer presents the report to the Committee, then the participants from the public are called to speak. Following this, questions are taken from the Committee along with statements and comments for debate.

Items were heard in the following order: 5b, 5c, 5f, 5a, 5d, 5e, prioritising those items with public speakers on first.

Councillor Durrant arrived at 7:13pm and, therefore, did not participate or vote on this item.

Robert Freeman introduced the report to Members on behalf of the Case Officer.

Michael Caldwell spoke in objection to the application.

Theo Naylor spoke in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Wyatt-Lowe and seconded by Councillor Maddern to GRANT the application in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Vote:

For: 7                           Against: 0                    Abstained: 3     

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1.           The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To comply with the requirements of Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 (1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.           No above ground development shall take place until details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the semi-detached pair of dwellings hereby permitted have been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.  Please do not send materials to the Council offices.  Materials should be kept on site and arrangements made with the Planning Officer for inspection.

            Reason:  To ensure satisfactory appearance to the development and to safeguard the visual character of the area in accordance with Policies CS11 and CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013).

3.           Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any Order amending or re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no development falling within the following classes of the Order shall be carried out without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority: Schedule 2 Part 1 Classes A, B, C, D, E, F.

            Reason:  To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over the development in the interests of safeguarding the residential and visual amenity of the locality in accordance with Policy CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 127 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019).

4.           No above ground development shall take place until full details of both hard and soft landscape works has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include:

            Hard surfacing materials;

            Means of enclosure;

            Bin storage facilities

            Soft landscape works which shall include planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/densities where appropriate;

            trees to be retained and measures for their protection during construction works;

            Proposed finished levels or contours;

            Minor artefacts and structures (e.g. furniture, play equipment, refuse or other storage units, signs, lighting etc);

            The planting must be carried out within one planting season of completing the development.

            Any tree or shrub which forms part of the approved landscaping scheme which within a period of 5years from planting fails  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

Councillor Guest declared a personal interest as it was in her ward. She said that she had been approached by the person speaking in objection but had given no view and had told them how to register to speak.

The Case Officer, Colin Lecart, introduced the report to Members.

Dr Robert Baker-Glenn spoke in objection to the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Stevens and seconded by Councillor Hobson to GRANT the application in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Vote:

For: 6                           Against: 4                    Abstained: 1    

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

 1.        The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To comply with the requirements of Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 (1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

 2.        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans/documents:

            DBC/019/007

            Reason:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3.        Before being brought in to use the new parking areas hereby approved shall be surfaced in porous paving or similar durable bound material and arrangements shall be made for surface water from the site to be intercepted and disposed of separately into a soakaway so that it does not discharge onto the highway.

Reason: To avoid the carriage of extraneous material surface water from the site into the highway so as to safeguard the interest of highway safety in accordance with Policy CS31 of the Core Strategy (2013).

 4.        No work (including site clearance) in relation to the development hereby approved shall be undertaken until full details setting out how retained trees shall be protected, in accordance with BS5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction), have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Details shall include:

            o          A scaled Tree Protection Plan showing the approved development layout and retained trees (surveyed in accordance with BS5837:2012), to include their accurate crown spreads and root protection areas (RPAs).

            o          The position and specification of tree protection fencing in accordance with BS5837:2012 (as applicable).

            o          The position and specification of ground protection in accordance with BS5837:2012 (as applicable).

            There shall be no excavation, changes in levels, storage of materials or access within the RPA of retained trees unless previously specified and agreed.

            The works must then be carried out according to the approved details.

Reason:  In order to ensure that damage does not occur to trees and hedges during building operations in accordance with saved Policy 99 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004), Policy CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 170 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019).

Informatives:

 1.        Planning permission consent has been granted for this proposal. Discussion with the applicant to seek an acceptable solution was not necessary in this instance. The Council has therefore acted pro-actively  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

The Case Officer, Elspeth Palmer, introduced the report to Members.

Alan Wrigley spoke in objection to the application.

David Carroll spoke in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor McDowell and seconded by Councillor Durrant to GRANT the application in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Vote:

For: 10                        Against: 0                    Abstained: 1     

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To comply with the requirements of Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 (1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2. The dog walking paddock shall only be open to customers between8am – 4pm weekdays and weekends in Winter and 8am – 6pm in the Summer.

Reason:  In the interests of the amenities of the occupants of neighbouring dwellings and to comply with CS12.           

3. Within 4 months of this planning permission the vehicular access shall be provided, the construction of such works to be undertaken to the Highway Authority satisfaction and specification, and by a contractor who is authorised to work in the public highway. The vehicular access thereafter shall be retained at the position shown on the approved plan drawing number 1852-001_BOUND[2654] Arrangement shall be made for surface water drainage to be intercepted and disposed of separately so that it does not discharge from or onto the highway carriageway.

Reason: To ensure satisfactory access into the site and avoid carriage of extraneous material or surface water from or onto the highway in accordance with Policy 5 of Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018) and Core Strategy Policy 12.

4. Within 4 months of this planning permission visibility splay (shown on the approved plan drawing number 1852-001_BOUND[2654]) measuring 2.4 x 66 metres shall be provided to each side of the access where it meets the highway and such splays shall thereafter be maintained at all times free from any obstruction between 600mm and 2m above the level of the adjacent highway carriageway.

Reason: To ensure construction of a satisfactory development and in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Policy 5 of Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018) and Core Strategy Policy 12.

5. Within 4 months of the date of this planning permission any access gate(s), bollard, chain or other means of obstruction shall be hung to open inwards set back and thereafter retained a minimum distance of 5.5 metres from the edge of the highway.

Reason: To enable vehicles to safely draw off the highway before the gate(s) or obstruction is opened and/or closed in accordance with Policy 5 of Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018) and Core Strategy Policy 12.

6. The maximum number of dogs to use the approved dog walking paddock at any one time is 4.

Reason:  In the interests of the amenities of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

Councillor Stevens declared his interest in this item and said that he is the Chair of the Town Planning Committee. He, therefore, did not participate or vote on this item.

The Case Officer, Robert Freeman, introduced the report to Members.

It was proposed by Councillor Wyatt-Lowe and seconded by Councillor Beauchamp to GRANT the application in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Vote:

For: 7                           Against: 2                    Abstained: 1     

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To comply with the requirements of Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 (1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

 2.        The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall be provided in accordance with those specified on drawings:

            TWS-1904-00-30 Revision 01

            TWS-1904-00-31 Revision 01

            Reason:  To make sure that the appearance of the building is suitable and that it contributes to the character of the area in accordance with Policies CS11 and CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013).

 3.        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans/documents:

            TWS-1904-00-30 Revision 01 and TWS-1904-00-31 Revision 01

            Reason:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

Councillors from the Liberal Democrat Group declared that they know the Councillor whose application this was personally but that it had not been discussed and that they would be approaching the application with an open mind.

The Case Officer, Neil Robertson, introduced the report to Members.

It was proposed by Councillor Durrant and seconded by Councillor Maddern to GRANT the application, both planning permission and Listed Building Consent in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Vote:

For: 8                          Against: 0                    Abstained: 3     

Resolved: That planning permission and Listed Building Consent be GRANTED.

That the following appeals were noted:

A.   LODGED

B.   WITHDRAWN

C.   FORTHCOMING INQUIRIES

D.   FORTHCOMING HEARINGS

E.    DISMISSED

F.    ALLOWED