Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Claire Parris and Rob Henry.

Councillor John Blackwood was present as a substitute for Councillor Rob Henry.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 07 April 2026

The Minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held on 7 April 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the updated Terms of Reference (TORs) for the Planning and Development Committee

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference be noted.

To consider an application for planning permission for the change of use from dwelling Class (C3) to dwelling Class (C2) for the care of children and young adults up to the age of 25.

The Vice-Chair advised the Committee that officers had received a number of detailed submissions since the publication of the report. As these submissions required further examination, it was noted that it would not be appropriate to address these through an addendum report.

It was recommended that the application be withdrawn from the agenda and brought back to a future meeting.

The Monitoring Officer supported this recommendation, advising that the additional representations needed to be fully considered before the Committee could determine the application.

The Vice-Chair moved a motion that the item be withdrawn and deferred to a future meeting, which was seconded by Councillor Peter Clark.

It was RESOLVED that the motion was carried, and the item was withdrawn.

To consider an application for planning permission for the change of use of the previously approved 6no. dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) to 6no. five-bedroom Houses of Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4)

The Committee was advised that, following the publication of the agenda, further information had come to light regarding land ownership. Officers therefore recommended that the item be withdrawn from the agenda.

The Director of Planning and Regulation informed Members that further investigations were required to establish the land ownership position and to ensure that any future decision on the application would be valid.

The Monitoring Officer advised that there was a potential risk of legal challenge if the application was determined before these matters had been clarified. Officers indicated that, subject to the outcome of the investigations, the application was likely to be brought back to a future meeting.

The Monitoring Officer supported this recommendation, advising that the additional representations needed to be fully considered before the Committee could determine the application.

The Vice-Chair moved that the item be withdrawn and deferred to a future meeting which was seconded by Councillor Lynda Guy.

It was RESOLVED that the motion was carried, and the item was withdrawn.

To consider an application for planning permission for the demolition of the existing vacant care home (Class C2) building and erection of 10 no.  dwellings (Class C3) and associated landscaping, car parks and access arrangements

The Committee were presented with the report and were shown images of the site layout, landscaping proposals and cycle and refuse storage facilities. It was noted that the site would provide ten new homes, including affordable housing. This included two-storey semi-detached houses and a three-storey block of eight flats.

The Vice-Chair introduced Sam Lake, a local resident of the proposed site, to address the Committee. 

The objector spoke about the proximity of the proposed dwellings to properties in Russell Close, disputing the separation distances referred to in the officer's report.

Concerns were also expressed regarding potential overlooking, loss of privacy, overshadowing, loss of outlook and the absence of a daylight and sunlight assessment. The objector considered that the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring residential amenity and was contrary to Policy GD1.

The Vice-Chair introduced Liz Fitzgerald from Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd to address the Committee.

The Committee also heard from the applicant's agent, who supported the proposal and highlighted the benefits of redeveloping the site to provide housing, which included affordable homes.

It was noted that the scheme had been amended during the application process to address concerns raised through consultation. The agent advised that the Design Guide SPD provided guidance rather than policy requirements and that any minor deviation from the guidance would not necessarily justify refusal of the application.

The Vice-Chair thanked both speakers for their contributions and invited the Senior Planning Officer to respond.

The Senior Planning Officer advised that measurements had been taken using the Council’s industry standard digital mapping software. It was confirmed that the distances reported had been calculated from the submitted plans. Officers stated that they could not account for the differing measurements referred to by the objector but were satisfied that the proposal met the relevant requirements.

Officers advised that the site was an unallocated windfall site, and that significant weight should be afforded to the redevelopment of a previously developed brownfield site.

The Committee was informed that the proposal would provide affordable housing in accordance with policy requirements, together with contributions towards local training, apprenticeships and secondary education through a Section 106 Agreement.

Officers further advised that the proposal met the required standards for internal accommodation, private amenity space, parking provision and cycle storage.

In response to questions regarding daylight and sunlight impacts, officers advised that there was no requirement for either the applicant or the Council to undertake a daylight and sunlight assessments. It was noted that such assessments would not normally be expected for two-storey residential development within an established urban area where acceptable separation distances had been achieved.

Officers concluded that the benefits of delivering new housing, affordable housing and the redevelopment of a brownfield site significantly outweighed any identified harm and therefore recommended that planning permission be granted.

A recorded vote* was taken on the application and it was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out below and delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider an application for planning permission for the demolition of the existing vacant garage block and the erection of 7no. three-bedroom dwellings

The Committee considered an application for the redevelopment of the former garage site on Broadview to provide seven three-bedroom dwellings.

Members were advised that, following publication of the agenda, prior approval had been granted for the demolition of the garages, and a bat survey had confirmed no evidence of roosting bats, resulting in minor amendments to the proposed conditions.

Members discussed the design, scale and height of the proposed dwellings, together with the relationship of the development to the surrounding area.

Concerns were raised regarding the use of Broxdell as an access point due to its narrow width and existing parking pressures. Officers acknowledged residents' concerns and advised that Hertfordshire Highways, who was the statutory consultee, had raised no objections to the proposal.

Questions were also raised regarding the impact on the Green Link and the potential loss of green space. Officers advised that the development occupied only a small proportion of the designated area and remained compliant with the relevant policies. This was because it would not sever the wildlife corridor or create a substantive break in the Green Link.

Officers concluded that the benefits of delivering additional housing, the reuse of a previously developed site and the significant biodiversity gains outweighed the limited policy harms identified. The application was therefore recommended for approval.

A recorded vote* was taken on the application and it was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out below and delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning and Regulation in consultation with the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, to amend or add to the conditions subject to which the permission would be granted, where such amendments or additions would satisfy  the relevant national policy tests and would most effectively deliver the development which the Committee has resolved to approve.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS/REASONS

1          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

25016su1.01-B; 25016su1.02-C; 25016su1.03-A; 25016su1.04-C; 25016wd2.01-E; 25016wd2.01-E; 25016wd2.03-B; 25016wd2.04-B; 25016wd2.05; 25016wd2.10-C; 25016wd2.11-C; 25016wd2.12-C; 25016wd2.13-C; LSDP 2482.01-A; ST-3853-801-C; ST-3853-802-C; ST-3853-800-B; 36059-1; 25038-1;

 2         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

 3         No demolition, construction or maintenance activities audible at the boundary, and no deliveries of construction and demolition materials shall be undertaken outside the hours 07:30 hours to 18:00 hours Monday to Friday and 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours on Saturdays. For the avoidance of doubt, no such activity shall take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 4         Any external lighting installed at the site shall be angled so as to avoid any spillage beyond the site boundaries unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 5         In the event that contamination is found at any time when carrying out the approved development that was not previously identified, it must be reported in writing immediately to the local planning authority. An investigation and risk  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider an application for planning permission for the installation of a public sculpture. This would comprise a Roman Legionary, a large-scale public sculpture intended for Stevenage as part of the Public Art Commission 2025

The Committee considered an application for the installation of a public art structure at the north end of Fairlands Valley Park. The Planning Officer presented to the Committee images of the low-lying concrete Roman solder sculpture.

Members were advised that five objections had been received, primarily relating to the use of public funding, the suitability of the location, concerns regarding potential vandalism, and the perceived lack of historical links between Stevenage and Roman heritage. Officers advised that these matters were not material planning considerations.

The Committee were informed that the principal planning considerations related to the impact on the nearby heritage asset, Fairlands Farm, and the character of the surrounding area. Officers concluded that, due to the scale, design and location of the sculpture, there would be no significant harm to the heritage asset or the appearance of the area. It was also noted that the proposal would not affect highway safety, pedestrian access or parking provision.

During discussions, Members sought clarification regarding the purpose of the sculpture and were informed that the proposal formed part of a wider Towns Fund regeneration programme. Officers advised that the rational for the proposal was not a material planning consideration, and that the Committee's role was to determine the planning merits of the application.

A recorded vote* was taken on the application and it was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out below and delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning and Regulation in consultation with the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS/REASONS

1          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Site Location Plan; Aerial View; Elevation View; Proposed Site Plan

2          The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

3          The external materials used in the development to which this permission relates shall be those detailed on the approved plans and in the accompanying planning submission documents unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

The Council has acted Pro-Actively for the following reason:-

1          Planning permission has been granted for this proposal. Discussion with the applicant to seek an acceptable solution was not necessary in this instance. The Council has therefore acted pro-actively in line with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

*Recorded Vote

For – Councillors Julie Ashley-Wren, Doug Bainbridge, Forhad Chowdhury, Peter Clark, Lynda Guy, Jody Hanafin, Jackie Hollywell, Ellie Plater, Peter Wilkins, Nigel Williams and John Blackwood.

Against – 0

Abstentions – 0

Absent – Councillors Rob Henry and Claire Parris.

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

It was RESOLVED that the Information Report – Delegated Decisions be noted.

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

It was RESOLVED that the Information Report – Appeals / Called In Decisions be noted.

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

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

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.

It was RESOLVED: 

1. That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access toInformation) (Variation) Order 2006. 

2.That Members consider the reasons for the following reports 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.

To note the Planning report on the legal status of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Stevenage

The Committee noted the Planning report on the legal status of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Stevenage.

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

There was no Urgent Part II Business.