Agenda item

Cllr Patterson declared an interest in the item, and confirmed that he will not take part in the discussion or voting.

 

The Case Officer, Elspeth Palmer introduced the report to Members and said that the application had been referred to the Committee due to the contrary views of Tring Town Council.

 

Ward Councillor Brian Patterson, Town Councillor Paul De Koning and Rachael Moore spoke in objection to the application.

 

Greg Basmadjian spoke in support of the application.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Durrant and seconded by Councillor Bristow to DELEGATE with a view to APPROVAL.

 

Vote:

 

For:                  Against:                         Abstained:

5                      4                                              1

 

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED.

 

RECOMMENDATION

            That planning permission be DELEGATED with a view to APPROVAL subject to an appropriate assessment in accordance with article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive and securing a mitigation package to avoid any further significant effects on the Chilterns Beechwood Special Area of Conservation (SAC) through financial contributions secured by legal agreement.

 

Condition(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:

            Site Location Plan

            Proposed Site Plan 401 Rev C

            Proposed Floor Plans 402 Rev A

            Proposed Floor Plans 403 Rev A

            Proposed Elevations 404 Rev A

            Perspective View North

            Perspective View South

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

 3.        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).

 4.        The garage shall be demolished and the materials arising from demolition removed from the site (or the arising materials re-used or retained in a position on site as agreed by the Local Planning Authority in writing and thereafter retained) prior to the implementation of the development hereby permitted.

            Reason:  To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over the development in the interests of  protecting the neighbouring properties amenities in accordance with Policy CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013).

            Reason:  To accord with the approved plans and for the avoidance of doubt.

 5.        Should any ground contamination be encountered during the construction of the development hereby approved (including groundworks), works shall be temporarily suspended, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and a Contamination Remediation Scheme shall be submitted to (as soon as practically possible) and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The Contamination Remediation Scheme shall detail all measures required to render this contamination harmless and all approved measures shall subsequently be fully implemented prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved.

            Should no ground contamination be encountered or suspected upon the completion of the groundworks, a statement to that effect shall be submitted in writing to the Local Planning Authority prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved.

           

            Reason: To ensure that the issue of contamination is adequately addressed and to ensure a satisfactory development, in accordance with Core Strategy (2013) Policy CS32.

6.         Notwithstanding the details shown on the approved plans the amenity land to the front of the site (marked as grass and between the “low brick wall/picket fence” and the footpath) is to be kept permanently open and free from all domestic paraphernalia and not to be used as residential garden or as a means of parking or access to the highway.

            Reason:  To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over the development in the interests of safeguarding the amenity land to the front of the site which forms part of an open green corridor along Christchurch Road and provides residential and visual amenity for the locality in accordance with Policy CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 130 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).

 7.        The window at first floor level and ground floor level in the north-west elevation of the development hereby permitted shall be non-opening and permanently fitted with obscured glass with a minimum of privacy level three up to 1.7 metres from the internal floor height.

            Reason:  In the interests of the residential amenities of the occupants of the adjacent dwellings in accordance with Policy CS12 (c) of the Dacorum Borough Council Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 130 (f) of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).

 8.        Not withstanding the details shown on the approved plans 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 with specific reference to the boundary treatment between the house and the amenity land;

·         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 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 5 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).

 

 9.        Works must then be carried out according to the approved details and recommendations made in the Tree Survey and Arboricultural Impact Assessment dated 10th March, 2023 by GHA Trees.

            Reason:  In order to ensure that damage does not occur to the trees and their root systems covered by a Tree Preservation Order and other trees and hedges within and near the site 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 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).

10.        Prior to the occupation of development hereby permitted, details of refuse storage for domestic refuse/recyclable materials and collection arrangements shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Thereafter, all refuse and recyclable materials associated with the development shall be stored within this dedicated refuse storage area as approved. No refuse or recycling material shall be stored or placed for collection on the public highway or pavement, except on the day of collection.

            Reason:  To safeguard the residential and visual amenities of the locality, protect the environment and prevent highway obstruction in accordance with saved Policy 129 of the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004) and Policy CS29 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013).

11.        Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) (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 Class A, B, D, E and F

            Reason:  To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over the development in the interests of safeguarding the residential and visual amenity for the locality in accordance with Policy CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 130 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023) to ensure there are no porch projections into the amenity land or hardstanding areas beneath the protected trees which may affect their root system

12.        No construction of the superstructure shall take place until a sustainability checklist providing details of proposed sustainability measures within the development shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:  To ensure the sustainable development of the site in accordance with the aims of Policies CS28 and CS29 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013), the Sustainable Development Advice Note (2016) and Paragraphs 154 and 157 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).

 

 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) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2015.

 2.        Storage of materials: 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.

            Further information is available via the County Council website at:

            https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/highways-roads-and-pavements/business-and-developer-information/business-licences/business-licences.aspx or by telephoning 0300 1234047.

 3.        Obstruction of highway: 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.

            Further information is available via the County Council website at:

            https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/highways-roads-and-pavements/business-and-developer-information/business-licences/business-licences.aspx or by telephoning 0300 1234047.

 4.        Debris and deposits on the highway: It is an offence under section 148 of the Highways Act

            1980 to deposit compost, dung or other material for dressing land, or any rubbish on a made up carriageway, or any or other debris on a highway to the interruption of any highway user. 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 and use thereafter are in a condition such as not to emit dust or deposit mud, slurry or other debris on the highway. Further information is available by telephoning 0300 1234047.

 5.        The Public Right of Way(s) should remain unobstructed by vehicles, machinery, materials,

            tools and any other aspects of the construction during works. Safe passage past the site should be maintained at all times for the public using this route. The condition of the route should not deteriorate as a result of these works. Any adverse effects to the surface from traffic, machinery or materials (especially overspills of cement & concrete) should be made good by the applicant to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority. No materials shall be stored or left on the Highway including Highway verges. If the above conditions cannot reasonably be achieved, then a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) would be required to close the affected route and divert users for any periods necessary to allow works to proceed, for which a fee would be payable to Hertfordshire County Council. Further information is available via the County Council website at

            https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/recycling-waste-and-environment/countryside-access/rightsof-way/rights-of-way.aspx

or by contacting Rights of Way, Hertfordshire County Council on 0300 123 4047.

 6.        The proposed new driveway would need to make adequate provision for drainage on site to ensure that surface water does not discharge onto the highway. Surface water from the new driveway would need be collected and disposed of on site.

 7.        Contractors and sub-contractors must have regard to BS 5228-2:2009 "Code of Practice for Noise Control on Construction and Open Sites" and the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

            As a guideline, the following hours for noisy works and/or deliveries should be observed: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5:30pm, Saturday, 8am to 1pm, Sunday and bank holidays - no noisy work allowed.

            Where permission is sought for works to be carried out outside the hours stated, applications in writing must be made with at least seven days' notice to Environmental and Community Protection Team ecp@dacorum.gov.uk or The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN.  Local residents that may be affected by the work shall also be notified in writing, after approval is received from the LPA or Environmental Health.

            Works audible at the site boundary outside these hours may result in the service of a Notice restricting the hours as above.  Breach of the notice may result in prosecution and an unlimited fine and/or six months imprisonment.

 8.        Dust from operations on the site should be minimised by spraying with water or by carrying out of other such works that may be necessary to supress 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.

 9.        Under no circumstances should waste produced from construction work be incinerated on site. This includes but is not limited to pallet stretch wrap, used bulk bags, building materials, product of demolition and so on. Suitable waste management should be in place to reduce, reuse, recover or recycle waste product on site, or dispose of appropriately.

10.        As an authority we are looking for all development to support sustainable travel and air quality improvements as required by the NPPF. We are looking to minimise the cumulative impact on local air quality that ongoing development has, rather than looking at significance. This is also being encouraged by DEFRA.

            As a result as part of the planning application I would recommend that the applicant be asked to propose what measures they can take as part of this new development, to support sustainable travel and air quality improvements. These measures may be conditioned through the planning consent if the proposals are acceptable.

           

            A key theme of the NPPF is that developments should enable future occupiers to make "green" vehicle choices and (paragraph 35) "incorporates facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles". Therefore an electric vehicle recharging provision rate of 1 vehicle charging point per 10 spaces (unallocated parking) is expected. To prepare for increased demand in future years, appropriate cable provision should be included in the scheme design and development, in agreement with the local authority.

            Please note that with regard to EV charging for residential units with dedicated parking, we are not talking about physical charging points in all units but the capacity to install one. The cost of installing appropriate trunking/ducting and a dedicated fuse at the point of build is miniscule, compared to the cost of retrofitting an EV charging unit after the fact, without the relevant base work in place.

            In addition, mitigation in regards to NOx emissions should be addressed in that all gas fired boilers to meet a minimum standard of 40 mg NOx/Kwh or consideration of alternative heat sources.

11.        Weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogsweed and Ragwort are having a detrimental impact on our environment and may injure livestock. Land owners must not plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild any plant listed on schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Developers and land owners should therefore undertake an invasive weeds survey before development commences and take the steps necessary to avoid weed spread. Further advice can be obtained from the Environment Agency website at https://www.gov.uk/japanese-knotweed-giant-hogweed-and-other-invasive-plants

12.        Materials or conditions that may be encountered at the site and which could indicate the presence of contamination include, but are not limited to:

            Soils that are malodorous, for example a fuel odour or solvent-type odour, discoloured soils, soils containing man-made objects such as paint cans, oil/chemical drums, vehicle or machinery parts etc., or fragments of asbestos or potentially asbestos containing materials. If any other material is encountered that causes doubt, or which is significantly different

13.        The safe and secure occupancy of the site, in respect of land contamination, lies with the developer.

            The above conditions are considered to be in line with paragraphs 174 (e) & (f) and 183 and 184 of the NPPF 2023.

            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 and I would be grateful if this fact could be passed on to the developers.