Issue - meetings

To consider a reserved matters application for the construction of a Country Park including access, layout and landscaping pursuant to Outline permission 17/00862/OPM.

It was RESOLVED: That the application 22/00781/RMM be GRANTED reserved matters planning permission, subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report, with the inclusion of additional conditions to re-assess the street furniture proposed in the Country Park and boundary treatments on all boundaries with Chesfield Park to the north-east of the site, and with the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) being delegated authority, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning & Development Committee, to amend or add to the suggested draft conditions prior to the decision notice being issued.

The Committee considered a report in respect of application 22/00781/RMM seeking the construction of a Country Park including access, layout and landscaping pursuant to Outline permission 17/00862/OPM. The Principal Planning Officer reminded Members that this application had been deferred from the 14^th March 2023 Planning Committee.

The Principal Planning Officer advised that the site was allocated in the Local Plan through Policy HO3 which gave full provision of the site and included things such as residential units and a site for a school. A requirement of this policy was a Country Park. The Local Plan Policy NH8 which related to the provision of the North of Stevenage Country Park. In 2020 outline planning permission was approved.

The houses to the south were approved and there had been several reserved matters applications considered including Phase 1D of 115 residential units, Phase 1A-C of 243 residential units, and the infrastructure which included the drainage for the Country Park. There would be a flood attenuation basin which would be grass lined and would only fill up in occasions of flooding.

Photos of the site plan and location were presented which included the locations of the community orchard, the potential animal grazing, the toilet block and car park, the footpaths around the site, and the grounding tower.

The Chair introduced Chris Naylor, an objector, to address the Committee.

Mr Naylor addressed the committee and stated that the Country Park would ruin the historic fields and believed that this was an urban fringe park rather than the restoration and recreation of the fields for a rural meadow. The previous application was deferred asking for deeper engagement with residents, but he believed the application had not changed to reflect any concerns. He raised concerns on the size and occupancy of the car park, such as hospital staff using it, and the cycle superhighway and suggested that there should be a better connection. He raised further concerns around the proposed mound and the number of bins within the park.

The Chair thanked Mr Naylor for his contribution to the meeting.

The Chair then introduced Jo Unsworth, the developer, to address the Committee.

Ms Unsworth advised that the proposals were supported by the Planning Officers and Stevenage Direct Services who would eventually manage the park. The aim of the Country Park was to create a landscape that Forster would’ve recognised in the early 20^th century. For example, planting species referred to in Forster’s writing, biodiverse hay meadows, and replicating original field patterns. This would increase the biodiversity by 59% through planting woodlands, hedgerows, and a community orchard. The Country Park would be free, open, and accessible to all. The plans had changed in response to feedback and included downgrading the side of the paths, redesigning the toilet block, and changing half of the carpark to an overflow agreement. The widths of paths were a key concern but was specified in a legal agreement to ensure the park could be enjoyed by all. Alternative car park locations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2