Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

At this juncture, the Chair reminded the Committee of recent changes to the voting process. All applications were subject to a recorded vote with Members voting against Officer’s recommendation required to provide their planning reasons.

The Chair reminded the Committee to ensure their microphones were turned on and positioned correctly to improve audibility, particularly for those in the public gallery, and for the live stream.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meetings held on 17 July 2024 and 12 August 2024.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Committee held on 17 July 2024 and 12 August 2024 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To consider alterations and refurbishment to include a new roof and replacement windows and fascia boards.

The Committee considered an application in relation to 11-19 Town Square which included alterations and refurbishment to include a new roof and replacement windows and fascia boards.

The Head of Planning and Enforcement advised the Committee that the property was located above several commercial premises, adjacent to the former bus station (now Event Island) and the Town Square Conservation Area.

The Committee heard that the project would replace casement and top-hung windows, as well as curtain wall glazing. The roofing would also be replaced to match recent works carried out as part of the Co-Space development. The changes would replicate the existing architectural style, maintaining visual continuity with surrounding buildings, including black PPC aluminium frames for the windows and an upstand feature on the roof.

The Head of Planning and Enforcement informed the Committee that the proposal did not impact the Peter Lyon sculpture or any other significant heritage assets, such as the Grade II listed clock tower or the Franta Belsky Joyride sculpture.

The Committee were advised that Officers had assessed that the development would not harm the visual amenity of the area. The distance between the works and other listed buildings, such as the mural on the former Co-op (now Primark), ensured no detrimental effect on the area's heritage.

The Officer Recommendation was to grant planning permission.

Members asked a number of questions related to the scope of work and the impact on business operations.

In response, the Head of Planning and Enforcement advised the Committee that the application was focused on external façade refurbishments and that any planned internal changes were outside of the planning remit. The rear yard area did not form part of the application. The Assistant Director, Planning and Regulation added that future plans may include upgrades to the ground floor windows, but the existing businesses operating on the ground floor likely contributed to their exclusion from the proposal being considered.

The Head of Planning and Enforcement advised the Committee that all businesses would remain operational throughout the works which were expected to last about four months. Contractors would coordinate with the Council’s engineering team to ensure minimal disruption and signage would be used to indicate that the businesses were open as usual.

A recorded vote* was then taken on the application and it was RESOLVED that  planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and informatives:

1          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Site Location Plan; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-RF-DR-A-2204; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-3002; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-SH-A-7051; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-SH-A-7751; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-RF-DR-A-2006; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-RF-DR-A-2104; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-3001; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-3003

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

Informatives

1          Community Infrastructure Levy

Stevenage Borough Council adopted a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule at Full Council on 27 January 2020 and started implementing CIL on 01 April 2020.

This application may be liable for CIL payments and you are advised to contact the CIL Team for clarification with regard to this. If your development is CIL  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider demolition of existing semi-detached houses, sea cadets, nursery and scouts buildings to provide 57no new dwellings with associated parking, facilities and landscape. Reconfiguration of existing public car park.

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of existing semi-detached houses, sea cadets, nursery and scouts buildings to provide 57no new dwellings with associated parking, facilities and landscaping, and the reconfiguration of the existing public car park.

The Team Leader (AD) advised the Committee that the application included a revised layout following an initial proposal in July 2023, for which the Committee had resolved to grant planning permission. The drainage scheme for the previous layout was never agreed and the legal agreement was not proceeded with. The Lead Local Flood Authority had approved the drainage scheme for the new proposed layout.

The Committee heard that the original proposal had included a four-storey apartment block and the demolition of garages on Shephall View. The new proposal replaced the apartment block with smaller two-bedroom cluster homes and the garages would no longer be demolished.

The Team Leader (AD) informed the Committee that the application included a payment in lieu of off-site provision of affordable housing. The payment would be ring-fenced by the Council to fund affordable housing at Burwell Road allowing the developer more flexibility to proceed without linking the two sites.

The Committee were informed that the Sea Cadets and Scouts had already been relocated to new facilities in Hampson Park meeting policy requirements for their displacement due to this development.

The Team Leader (AD) advised the Committee that the scheme met the parking policy requirements, providing 86 allocated residential parking spaces and 11 visitor spaces, within the 75-100% required parking range. Public parking for Fairlands Valley Park would be resurfaced and formal parking bays would be marked.

The Committee were shown visuals of how the development would look including elevations and street scenes.

The Officer Recommendation was to grant planning permission.

Members asked a number of questions relating to traffic and road layouts, parking provision, environmental concerns, affordable housing and Fairlands Valley Park.

The Team Leader (AD) confirmed that Shephall View would remain a one-way road, with no vehicular access from it to the proposed development. Those who rented or owned garages in the area would still have access and beyond the garages there would be pedestrian access to the site only.

The Team Leader (AD) informed the Committee that the new layout of the development would have a negligible impact on traffic, as the number and mix of dwellings remained similar to the previous plan.

In response to questions related to the Fairlands Valley car park, the Team Leader (AD) advised that the surface area of the car park would stay the same, but the introduction of marked bays would likely lead to a more efficient use of space, although it was not confirmed whether there would be an increase in total spaces. The Committee heard that the car park would remain under the control and management of the Council. Officers believed that the provision of adequate parking for residents minimised the risk of residents using the park’s car park. The Assistant Director, Planning and Regulation added that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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 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.

There was none.