Agenda item

20/03734/FUL - Demolition of 36 residential garages and construction of 6 no dwelling houses - Garages At Sempill Road (West), Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Minutes:

The report was introduced by the case officer Martin Stickley

 

It was proposed by Councillor Taylor and seconded by Councillor Beauchamp that it be Granted

 

Vote:

 

For:  6            against:  0                 Abstained:     1

 

Resolved; 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.        No development shall take place until the final design of the drainage scheme is submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, in consultation with the Lead Local Flood Authority. The surface water drainage system will be based on the submitted the Flood Risk Assessment reference M03001-04_FR07 dated December 2020 prepared by McCloy Consulting and Drainage Strategy reference M03001-04_DG03 dated December 2020 prepared by McCloy Consulting. The scheme shall also include:

           

            1. Limiting the surface water run-off rates to a maximum of 2l/s for all rainfall events up to and including the 1 in 100 year + climate change event with discharge into the Thames surface Water sewer.

            2. Provide attenuation to ensure no increase in surface water run-off volumes for all rainfall events up to and including the 1 in 100 year + climate change event.

            3. Implement drainage strategy to include permeable paving, filter drain and attenuation tank.

            4. Where infiltration is proposed infiltration testing in accordance with BRE Digest 365 at the proposed depth and location of the proposed SuDS feature.

            5. Detailed engineered drawings of the proposed SuDS features including their location, size, volume, depth and any inlet and outlet features including any connecting pipe runs and all corresponding calculations/modelling to ensure the scheme caters for all rainfall events up to and including the 1 in 100 year + 40% allowance for climate change event, with a supporting contributing area plan.

            6. Demonstrate appropriate SuDS management and treatment for the entire site including the access road. To include exploration of source control measures and to include above ground features such as permeable paving.

            7. Maintenance and management plan for the SuDS features.

           

            The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

 

            Reason: To prevent flooding by ensuring the satisfactory storage of and disposal of surface water from the site in accordance with Policy CS31 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 163 and 165 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019).

 

 3.        (a)       The Local Planning Authority is of the opinion that the Preliminary Investigation Report submitted at the planning application stage (Document Reference: RSK Preliminary Risk Assessment 1921152-06(00) March 2020) indicates a reasonable likelihood of harmful contamination and so no development approved by this permission shall be commenced until a Site Investigation (Phase II environmental risk assessment) report has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority which includes:

           

            (i)         A full identification of the location and concentration of all pollutants on this site and the presence of relevant receptors, and;

            (ii)        The results from the application of an appropriate risk assessment methodology.

           

            (b)       No development approved by this permission (other than that necessary for the discharge of this condition) shall be commenced until a Remediation Method Statement report; if required as a result of (a), above; has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

           

            (c)       This site shall not be occupied, or brought into use, until:

           

            (i)         All works which form part of the Remediation Method Statement report pursuant to the discharge of condition (b) above have been fully completed and if required a formal agreement is submitted that commits to ongoing monitoring and/or maintenance of the remediation scheme.

            (ii)        A Remediation Verification Report confirming that the site is suitable for use has been submitted to, and agreed by, the Local Planning Authority.

           

            Reason:  To ensure that risks from land contamination to the future users of the land and neighbouring land are minimised, together with those to controlled waters, property and ecological systems, and to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to workers, neighbours and other off-site receptors in accordance with Policy CS32 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 178 and 180 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019).

 

 4.        All remediation or protection measures identified in the Remediation Statement referred to in Condition 3 above shall be fully implemented within the timescales and by the deadlines as set out in the Remediation Statement and a Site Completion Report shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the first occupation of any part of the development hereby permitted.

                       

            For the purposes of this condition: a Site Completion Report shall record all the investigation and remedial or protection actions carried out. It shall detail all conclusions and actions taken at each stage of the works including validation work.  It shall contain quality assurance and validation results providing evidence that the site has been remediated to a standard suitable for the approved use.

                       

            Reason:  To ensure that risks from land contamination to the future users of the land and neighbouring land are minimised, together with those to controlled waters, property and ecological systems, and to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to workers, neighbours and other off-site receptors in accordance with Policy CS32 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 178 and 180 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019).

 

 5.        No development (excluding demolition/ground investigations) shall take place until details of the materials 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).

 

 6.        The dwellings hereby approved shall not be occupied until the Electric Vehicle Charging Points and associated infrastructure has been provided in accordance with drawing DBC-IW-SEW-00-DR-A-0100 (Revision P1). The Electric Vehicle Charging points and associated infrastructure shall thereafter be retained in accordance with the approved details.

           

            Reason: To ensure that adequate provision is made for the charging of electric vehicles in accordance with Policies CS8, CS12 and CS29 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and the Car Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (2020).

 

 7.        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:

                       

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

            o          external lighting; and

            o          minor artefacts and structures (e.g. bike stores, street furniture, play equipment, signs, refuse or other storage units, 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 three years from planting fails to become established, becomes seriously damaged or diseased, dies or for any reason is removed shall be replaced in the next planting season by a tree or shrub of a similar species, size and maturity.

                       

            Reason:  To improve the appearance of the development and its contribution to biodiversity and the local environment, as required by saved Policy 99 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004) and Policy CS12 (e) of the Dacorum Borough Council Core Strategy (2013).

 

 8.        Prior to commencement of the development, a Landscape Ecological Management Plan (LEMP), shall be prepared, detailing how biodiversity will be incorporated within the development scheme. The plan shall include details of native-species planting, and/or fruit/nut tree planting, as well as the location of any habitat boxes/structures to be installed. The plan shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for written approval and the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plan unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

                       

            Reason: To ensure that the development contributes to and enhances the natural environment in accordance with Policy CS26 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 170 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019). These details are required prior to commencement to ensure that an overall on-site net gain for biodiversity can be achieved before construction works begin. The LEMP should include details of when the biodiversity enhancements will be introduced and this may be reliant on the construction process/timings.

 

 9.        Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted the proposed access/on-site car and cycle parking/servicing/loading, unloading/turning/waiting area shall be laid out, demarcated, levelled, surfaced and drained in accordance with the approved plans and retained thereafter available for that specific use.

           

            Reason:  In order to protect highway safety and the amenity of other users of the public highway and rights of way, in accordance with saved Policies 51 and 54 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004), Policy CS8 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 108 and 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019). The details are required prior to commencement to ensure that the construction of the development does not result in any risks to highway safety.

 

10.       Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted the vehicular access onto Ivory Court shown on drawing number DBC-IW-SEW-00-DR-A-0100 (Revision P1) shall be widened in accordance with the Hertfordshire County Council residential/industrial access construction specification. Prior to use arrangements 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:  In order to protect highway safety and the amenity of other users of the public highway and rights of way, in accordance with saved Policies 51 and 54 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004), Policy CS8 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 108 and 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019). The details are required prior to commencement to ensure that the construction of the development does not result in any risks to highway safety.

 

11.       Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted a visibility splay measuring 2.4m x 34m 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:  In order to protect highway safety and the amenity of other users of the public highway and rights of way, in accordance with saved Policies 51 and 54 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004), Policy CS8 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 108 and 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019). The details are required prior to commencement to ensure that the construction of the development does not result in any risks to highway safety.

 

12.       Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted 0.65 metre x 0.65 metre pedestrian visibility splays shall be provided and permanently maintained each side of the access. They shall be measured from the point where the edges of the access way cross the highway boundary, 0.65 metres into the site and 0.65 metres along the highway boundary therefore forming a triangular visibility splay. Within which, there shall be no obstruction to visibility between 0.6 metres and 2.0 metres above the carriageway.

           

            Reason:  In order to protect highway safety and the amenity of other users of the public highway and rights of way, in accordance with saved Policies 51 and 54 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004), Policy CS8 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraphs 108 and 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019). The details are required prior to commencement to ensure that the construction of the development does not result in any risks to highway safety.

 

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

           

            DBC-IW-SEW-00-DR-A-0010 - Site Location Plan

            DBC-IW-SEW-00-DR-A-0100 (Revision P1) - Proposed Site Plan

            DBC-IW-SEW-00-DR-A-2206 (Revision P2) - Proposed 2B + 3B Dwelling Plans & Elevations

            DBC-IW-SEW-00-DR-A-2207 (Revision P1) - Proposed 3B Dwelling Plans & Elevations

            S234-J1-IA-1 - Arboricultural Report by John Cromar's Arboricultural Company Limited (dated 1st September 2020)

            S234-J1-P2 Rev 1 - Tree Retention & Protection Measures - Preparation & Demolition Phases

            S234-J1-P3 Rev 1 - Tree Retention & Protection Measures - Construction, Late Construction & Landscaping Phases

           

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

 

Informatives:

 

 

 1.        Planning permission has been granted for this proposal. The Council acted pro-actively through positive engagement with the applicant at the pre-application stage and during the determination process which lead 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) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2015.

 

 2.        Thames Water

           

            Waste Comments

           

            Thames Water recognises this catchment is subject to high infiltration flows during certain groundwater conditions. The scale of the proposed development doesn't materially affect the sewer network and as such we have no objection. In the longer term Thames Water, along with other partners, are working on a strategy to reduce groundwater entering the sewer network

           

            Thames Water recognises this catchment is subject to high infiltration flows during certain groundwater conditions. The developer should liaise with the LLFA to agree an appropriate sustainable surface water strategy following the sequential approach before considering connection to the public sewer network. The scale of the proposed development doesn't materially affect the sewer network and as such we have no objection. In the longer term Thames Water, along with other partners, are working on a strategy to reduce groundwater entering the sewer network

           

            There are public sewers crossing or close to your development. If you're planning significant work near our sewers, it's important that you minimize the risk of damage. We'll need to check that your development doesn't limit repair or maintenance activities, or inhibit the services we provide in any other way. The applicant is advised to read our guide working near or diverting our pipes. https://developers.thameswater.co.uk/Developing-a-large-site/Planning-your-development/Working-near-or-diverting-our-pipes.

           

            With regard to SURFACE WATER drainage, Thames Water would advise that if the developer follows the sequential approach to the disposal of surface water we would have no objection.  Where the developer proposes to discharge to a public sewer, prior approval from Thames Water Developer Services will be required.  Should you require further information please refer to our website. https://developers.thameswater.co.uk/Developing-a-large-site/Apply-and-pay-for-services/Wastewater-services

            Thames Water would advise that with regard to WASTE WATER NETWORK and SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS infrastructure capacity, we would not have any objection to the above planning application, based on the information provided.

 

 3.        In accordance with the Councils adopted criteria, all noisy works associated with site demolition, site preparation and construction works shall be limited to the following hours - 07:30 to 17:30 on Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturday and no works are permitted at any time on Sundays or bank holidays.

 

 4.        Dust from operations on the site should be minimised by spraying with water or carrying out of other such works that may be necessary to suppress dust. Visual monitoring of dust is to be carried out continuously and Best Practical Means (BPM) should be used at all times. The Applicant is advised to consider the control of dust and emissions from construction and demolition Best Practice Guidance, produced in partnership by the Greater London Authority and London Councils.

 

 5.        The attention of the Applicant is drawn to the Control of Pollution Act 1974 relating to the control of noise on construction and demolition sites.

 

 6.        All wild birds, nests and eggs are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The grant of planning permission does not override the above Act. All applicants and sub-contractors are reminded that site clearance, vegetation removal, demolition works, etc. between March and August (inclusive) may risk committing an offence under the above Act and may be liable to prosecution if birds are known or suspected to be nesting. The Council will pass complaints received about such work to the appropriate authorities for investigation. The Local Authority advises that such work should be scheduled for the period 1 September - 28 February wherever possible. If this is not practicable, a search of the area should be made no more than 2 days in advance of vegetation clearance by a competent Ecologist and if active nests are found, works should stop until the birds have left the nest.

 

 7.        If bats, or evidence for them, are discovered during the course of roof works, work must stop immediately and advice sought on how to proceed lawfully from an appropriately qualified and experienced Ecologist or Natural England to avoid an offence being committed.

 

 8.        Contamination

           

            The Environmental Health Team has a web-page that aims to provide advice to potential developers, which includes a copy of a Planning Advice Note on "Development on Potentially Contaminated Land and/or for a Sensitive Land Use" in use across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. This can be found on www.dacorum.gov.uk by searching for contaminated land.

 

 9.        It is an offence under section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 for any person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way to wilfully obstruct the free passage along a highway or public right of way. If this development is likely to result in the public highway or public right of way network becoming routinely blocked (fully or partly) the applicant must contact the Highway Authority to obtain their permission and requirements before construction works commence.

 

10.       It is an offence under section 148 of the Highways Act 1980 to deposit mud or other debris on the public highway, and section 149 of the same Act gives the Highway Authority powers to remove such material at the expense of the party responsible. Therefore, best practical means shall be taken at all times to ensure that all vehicles leaving the site during construction of the development are in a condition such as not to emit dust or deposit mud, slurry or other debris on the highway.

 

11.       The applicant is advised that the storage of materials associated with the construction of this development should be provided within the site on land which is not public highway, and the use of such areas must not interfere with the public highway. If this is not possible, authorisation should be sought from the Highway Authority before construction works commence.

 

12.       Where works are required within the public highway to facilitate the new or amended vehicular access, the Highway Authority require the construction of such works to be undertaken to their satisfaction and specification, and by a contractor who is authorised to work in the public highway. If any of the works associated with the construction of the access affects or requires the removal and/or the relocation of any equipment, apparatus or structures (e.g. street name plates, bus stop signs or shelters, statutory authority equipment etc.) the applicant will be required to bear the cost of such removal or alteration. Before works commence the applicant will need to apply to the Highway Authority to obtain their permission, requirements and for the work to be carried out on the applicant's behalf. Further information is available via the website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/highways-roads-and-pavements/changes-to-your-road/dropped-kerbs/dropped-kerbs.aspx or by telephoning 0300 1234047.

 

13.       As per Agenda Item 14 (Page 3 of 6) of Cabinet dated 16th September 2014 (Update on Garage Disposal Strategy), all of those residents who currently rent a garage in a block earmarked for disposal will be offered an alternative garage. The Garage Management Team will wherever possible, offer a garage to rent in another garage site owned by Dacorum Borough Council in the vicinity of the development site.

 

 

 

Supporting documents: