Agenda and decisions

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declaration of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 31 March 2021.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday 31 March 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the Terms of Reference for the Planning and Development Committee.

The Committee noted the Terms of Reference.

To consider the proposed change of use from parking bays to highway forecourt and use for ancillary seating area associated with Misya Restaurant.

It was RESOLVED that application 21/00148/FP be refused planning permission for the following reasons:

The proposed change of use of the parking bays to create a forecourt in order to facilitate the provision of outdoor seating if approved, would create an unacceptable precedent whereby resulting in significant loss of key parking facilities which would as a result, cause significant harm to the vitality and viability of established businesses in the Old Town. The proposal is premature in the absence of an agreed outdoor seating approach, which provides for outdoor seating areas for businesses which does not result in any significant harm being caused to the vitality and viability of other businesses within the Old Town, and which would not result in an unacceptable level of key parking facilities being lost within and for which serve the Old Town.  

The proposed retention of the single space between the existing built-out kerb line and the new one requires a full Highways Safety Impact Assessment to ensure pedestrian and road safety is not compromised by the proposed works.

The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy TC10 and IT5 of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (adopted 2019), the National Planning Policy Framework (2019) and Planning Practice Guidance.

To consider the variation of Condition 1 Approved Plans and removal of Condition 8 Food Sales Restriction of Planning Permission 14/00111/FPM to allow for minor external alterations to the building and the sale of food not associated with a café or restaurant use in store.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as per the recommendations in the report.

To consider the modification of section 106 agreement to facilitate change of affordable housing tenure (from affordable rent to affordable build to rent) approved under planning permission reference 18/00268/FPM.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as per the recommendations in the report.

To note a report on decisions taken by the Assistant Director Planning and Regulatory in accordance with his delegated authority.

Noted.

To note a report on decisions taken by the Assistant Director Planning and Regulatory in accordance with his delegated authority.

Noted.

To consider any Part I Business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

To consider the following motions that:

1.    Under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1-7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.    That Members consider the reasons for the following reports (if any)being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II Business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.