Agenda and draft minutes

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2025. Were confirmed by the Members present.

Hard-copy minutes were signed by the Chair

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillor Allen, Walker and Mitchell. Councillor Bromham substituted for Councillor Allen. Councillor Anderson substituted for Councillor Walker and Councillor Silwal substituted for Councillor Mitchell.

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 Stevens 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 Stevens advised that members of public have registered to speak at this meeting and reminded any members of the public viewing the meeting about the rules of doing so.

5a.

24/02115/FUL

Loft conversion with rear dormer, and 3M rear extension to facilitate a Change of use from Class C3 to Sui Generis (9-Person HMO), with internal alterations.

5 Christchurch Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BX 

Councillor C Hobson declared that she had spoken to the Ward Councillor regarding procedures only for item 5a. Councillor Hobson confirmed that she is coming to the meeting with an open mind.

Briony Curtain presented the report on behalf of the Case Officer, Lois-May Chapman, and said that the application had been referred to the Committeeas it was called in by the Ward Councillor, in regards to concerns over parking and residential amenities.

The meeting was adjourned for 5 minutes to allow Members to read the addendum.

The case office informed the committee of the amendments which were in the addendum as the draft report was originally published in error on the agenda.

Ward Councillor Santamaria, Greggory Butterworth and Kim Elliot spoke in objection to the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Guest and seconded by Councillor Anderson to DELEGATE with a view to APPROVAL.

Vote:

For:                 Against:                       Abstained:

7                        6                                    0     

Resolved: That planning permission be DELEGATED with a view to APPROVAL.

RECOMMENDATION

That planning permission be DELEGATED WITH A VIEW TO APPROVAL.

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 constructed in accordance with the materials specified on the application form.

            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:

            CHR5 P01 Rev C - Proposed Floor Plans and Roof Plan

            CHR5 P02 Rev C - Proposed Vertical Section and Elevations

            CR5 P03 Rev D - Proposed Site Block Plan

            PR - L01- Proposed Block Plan

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

4.         Prior to the first occupation of the development, the bin and cycle storage facilities, as shown on Plan PR - L01, shall be provided in accordance with the details outlined in Plan PR - L01. These facilities shall be permanently maintained in accordance with the approved plans thereafter.

Reason: In the interests of residential amenity, in accordance with CS12 of the of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013), Saved Appendix 3 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004), and the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).

 5.        Prior to the commencement of development a scheme for achieving the noise levels outlined in BS8233:2014 with regards to the residential units shall be submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

5b.

24/02805/FHA

Double storey side and rear extension, following the demolition of a single storey garage. Alterations to internal layout and fenestration, as well as a front porch extension and the replacement of front-facing windows.

20 Fir Tree Close, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 8NG 

Councillor Bromham declared that a resident had contacted him with a statement for refusal, as they never had internet access. He confirmed that he forwarded the statement to the Planning Officer and is coming to the meeting with an open. 

Briony Curtain presented the report on behalf of the Case Officer, Colin Lecart, and said that the application had been referred to the Committee as it was called in by the Ward Councillor.

David Farmer spoke in objection to the application.

Sukhdev Lota spoke in support of the item.

It was proposed by Councillor Anderson and seconded by Councillor Hobson to GRANT the application.

Vote:

For:                 Against:                       Abstained:

12                       0                                    1

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED.

RECOMMENDATION

That planning permission be GRANTED.

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:

            FTC 03 C

            FTC-12 F

            FTC 13 F

            FTC 14 F

            FTC 15 F

            FTC 16 F

            FTC 17 F

            FTC 18 F

            FTC 19 F

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

 3.        The development hereby permitted shall be constructed in accordance with the materials specified on the application form.

            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).

Informatives:

 1.        Planning permission has been granted for this proposal. The Council acted pro-actively through positive engagement with the applicant during the determination process which led to improvements to the scheme. The Council has therefore acted pro-actively in line with the requirements of the Framework (paragraph 38) and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

Philip Stanley provided the update. The presentation covered appeals from 01 January 2025 to 07 March 2025 and drew out key information from appeals dismissed and allowed, costs, and appeal performance.

The report was noted by members.