Agenda and minutes

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July were confirmed by the Members present.

Hard-copy minutes will be signed by the Chair when restrictions are lifted.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Maddern & Durrant (Cllr G Sutton attended as a substitute for Cllr Durrant)

Cllr Tindall advised he would be leaving the meeting at 8pm.

The Chair advised that Cllr Oguchi may be delayed but will try to join the meeting. 

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.

Cllr 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.

Cllr 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.

Cllr Uttley declared an interest and will not be participating in the discussion or voting on this application.  Cllr Riddick declared an interest in that he called-in this application and confirmed he was approaching this with an open mind and would be participating.

The Case Officer, JMiller introduced the report to Members and said that the application had been referred to the Committee as it was called in by Councillor Riddick.

David Lomas spoke in objection to the application.

Ward Councillor Graham Barrett spoke in objection to the application.

Lewis Davenport spoke in support of the application.

It was proposed by Cllr GSutton and seconded by Councillor RSutton to GRANT the application.

Vote:

For:  3              Against: 6                    Abstained: 1

Cllr Hobson proposed to REFUSE the application, seconded by Cllr Wyatt Lowe, on the grounds of the impact on the openness of the greenbelt due to the size of the building.

Vote:

For: 6               Against: 3                    Abstained: 1

Resolved: That planning permission beREFUSED owing to its overall scale and size, the proposed development would fail to preserve the openness of the Green Belt, contrary to paragraph 145 (b) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy.

The Case Officer, NGibbs introduced the report to Members and said that the application had been referred to the Committee as DBC is the applicant.

It was proposed by Cllr GSutton and seconded by Cllr Riddick to GRANT the application.

Vote:

For:  9              Against: 0                    Abstained: 1

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED.

Cllr Beauchamp declared a personal interest and will not be participating in discussion or voting on this application.

The Case Officer, CLecartintroduced the report to Members and said that the application had been referred to the Committee given the contrary recommendation of Chipperfield Parish Council.  Chipperfield Parish Council Object to the development.

A statement was prepared by Parish Councillor Geoff Bryant in objection of the application. This was read outby Cassy O’Neil, Corporate & Democratic Support Team Leader.

Grayspoke in support of the application.

Cllr Tindall indicated he was leaving the meeting at 19.53pm

It was proposed by Cllr McDowell and seconded by Cllr Hobsonto GRANT the application.

Vote:

For: 7               Against: 0                    Abstained: 1

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED with the following conditions;

Condition(s) and Reason(s):

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:

256 pa2.05 Rev B

256 pa2.06

256 pa2.07

256.pa2.08

256.pa209

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

3.    The bricks, flintwork, mortar, slates and rainwater goods to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match the existing building in terms of size, colour and texture.

Pre cast flintwork panels shall not be used.

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).

4.    No development (excluding demolition/ground investigations) shall take place until joinery and finish and rooflight details to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development 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).

5.    No construction of the superstructure 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:

·         all external hard surfaces within the site;

·         other surfacing materials;

·         means of enclosure;

·         soft landscape works including a planting scheme with the number, size, species and position of trees, plants and shrubs;

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

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32c

Cllr Guest advised that the item had been withdrawn from the agenda of the Development Management Committee on 13^th August.

Cllr Guest apologised for any inconvenience caused and advised that the item has have been withdrawn because on closer inspection of the Constitution, it is not required to be heard at DMC and a decision will be made at a delegated level in accordance with the constitution.

Cllr Guest advised that the item had been withdrawn from the agenda of the Development Management Committee on 13^th August.

Cllr Guest apologised for any inconvenience caused and advised that the item has have been withdrawn because on closer inspection of the Constitution, it is not required to be heard at DMC and a decision will be made at a delegated level in accordance with the constitution.

The Case Officer, NGibbsintroduced the report to Members and said that the application had been referred to the Committee because the recommendation to support the application is contrary to Berkhamsted Town Council’s view.

Town Councillor Jackie Jonesspoke in objection to the application.

It was proposed by Cllr GSutton and seconded by Cllr Wyatt Lowe to GRANT the application.

Vote:

For:  7              Against: 2                    Abstained: 1

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED.

The Case Officer, RFreeman introduced the report to Members and said that the application had been referred to the Committee because the recommendation to support the application is contrary to Berkhamsted Town Council’s view.

Ward Councillor Graham Barrett spoke in objection to the application.

It was proposed by Cllr Uttley and seconded by Cllr McDowell to GRANT the application.

Vote:

For: 8               Against: 1                    Abstained: 1

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED with the following conditions;

Condition(s) and Reason(s):

That the gates hereby approved shall not be clad in timber or any other material.

Reason: To ensure that the proposed gates are satisfactory in appearance and do not detract from the open character and appearance of the Green Belt in accordance with