Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Tom Wren.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the construction of a Multi Storey Car Park and Secure Cycle Stores to provide 622 car parking spaces of which 30no. are accessible, "Blue Badge" spaces 80 secure cycle spaces, and 27 motorcycle spaces with associated hard and soft landscaping works.  Up to 25% of car parking spaces are to be provided with active Electric Vehicle charging point and up to 50% of car parking spaces are to be provided with passive Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure for future activation to suit demand. The MSCP is six storeys tall with a central photovoltaic canopy on the open top deck

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions in the report and:

1.    The Assistant Director Planning and Regulation in consultation with the Chair of the Committee giving consideration to the balance and the configuration of disabled parking spaces in the covered and uncovered areas within the car park;

2.    Subject to any comments made by the Police in relation to the safety concerns being considered by the Assistant Director Planning and Regulation in consultation with the Chair of the Committee and the Member raising the concerns.

To consider the erection of 11no.modular homes (Use Class C3) and associated works.

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

To consider the variation of conditions 1 (Approved Plans), 9 (Flood Risk Assessment), 10 (Drainage) and 27 (Vehicle Access) attached to planning permission 19/00123/FPM.

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

To consider the conversion of 1 no. 4 bedroom dwelling to 3 no. studios, single storey front and rear extensions and conversion of garage including the change of use from public amenity land to residential use and associated parking.

It was RESOLVED that application 21/01101/FP be refused planning permission for the following reasons:

1)    The proposed conversion of the 4 bedroom family dwelling to 3 no. 1 bedroom studios combined with the conversion of similar properties to HMOs or flats within Ripon Road would further erode the provision of family homes which are needed to create a balanced and sustainable community. The proposed development is therefore, contrary to Policies SP7 and HO9 of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (adopted 2019), the NPPF (2021) and PPG.

2)  The proposed development would comprise the reduction of the private garden area to hardsurfacing to create surface parking combined with the front and rear extensions and the conversion of the property, including the garage to create 3 no. 1 bedroom studios would result in an overdevelopment of the site resulting in a detrimental impact to the character and appearance of the street scene of this part of Ripon Road. Therefore, the proposed development would be contrary to Policies SP8 and GD1 of Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (adopted 2019), the Council’s Design Guide SPD (2009), the NPPF (2021) and PPG.

3)  The proposed relocation of the existing street light would result in an area to the rear of the property which would not be properly illuminated and this would create an unwelcoming environment which could give rise to a fear of crime. Therefore, the proposed development would be contrary to Policies SP8 and GD1 of Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (adopted 2019), the Council’s Design Guide SPD (2009), the NPPF (2021) and PPG.

Single storey front extension and change of use of land from public amenity to private residential.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to 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.

None.

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.