Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Clark and Nigel Williams.

The Chair noted that there would be a change of order in the agenda.

The Committee would be considering the items in the following order:

1)    25/00620/OPM - Land South of A602/ Land East of Bragbury End

2)    25/00893/FPM - Land Adjacent to GSK Campus, Gunnels Wood Road

3)    25/00908/FP - South Car Park, Primett Road

4)    24/00058/FPM - Land at Redcar Drive, Stevenage, SG1 2EN

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 February 2026.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Planning & Development Committee held on 12 February 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the full planning permission for the construction of the spine road, site accesses from the A602 and ancillary works. Outline planning permission for up to 500 dwelling units (including affordable housing and self-build plots), a mixed use local centre (Use Class C3, E and F2 space, public open and amenity space (including Children's Play), associated landscaping and ecological enhancement works, internal highways, parking, footpaths, cycleways, drainage, utilities, service infrastructure and ancillary works (With some matters reserved).

The Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer on the planning application and outline grant for land South of Stevenage.

The Team Leader presented photographs of the site and surrounding area to the Committee, and details of the proposed highway works were provided. This included a new signalised junction to serve the development, alongside improved pedestrian and cycle connections and a bus and emergency access point.

Officers advised that an interim three-arm junction would be delivered initially, with provision for a fourth to enable future development of the adjoining northern parcel.

Members were informed that the site was allocated for housing in the Local plan under Policy H04, with proposals considered acceptable in principle. The scheme included plans showing the housing layout, play areas, landscaping, and sustainable drainage features, with detailed matters to be addressed through future reserved matters applications.

It was noted that the development proposed 24% affordable housing, which was subject to review mechanisms to be secured through the Section 106 contributions outlined in the recommendations. Contributions towards sports provisions, infrastructure and community facilities, would also be secured through the Section 106 agreement. Officers explained that the provision of a neighbourhood centre and GP surgery would be secured through planning obligations.

It was further noted that the application had attracted numerous objections, including a petition, with key concerns relating to highways, infrastructure and environmental impacts, which had been considered in the Officer’s report.

Officers confirmed that ecological, heritage, sustainability and amenity impacts had been assessed and were considered acceptable, subject to the conditions.

Officers concluded by recommending that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement as set out in the report and addendum.

The Committee considered the appraisal section of the report and questions were raised regarding the biodiversity and ecology lost due to the proposed development. Officers advised that the development would result in a loss of approximately ten habitat units on site, but the required biodiversity net gain would be achieved through off-site units in accordance with national regulations.

Officers also provided Members with transport data relating to the anticipated trip generation from the development during peak hours.

In response to questions regarding flooding and drainage, it was noted that there remained an outstanding objection from the Lead Local Flood Authority. Members were advised that, should planning permission be granted, the decision notice and Section 106 agreement would not be finalised until the drainage matters had been resolved and appropriate conditions secured.

In relation to the climate change and sustainability appraisal section, Officers confirmed that the development would include electric vehicle charging infrastructure in accordance with policy and building regulations, with detailed provision to be secured through conditions and future reserved matters applications.

Questions were raised regarding reference to unexploded ordnance on the site, and Officers advised that a preliminary risk assessment had been undertaken as part of a standard practice for developments of this scale and had identified the risk as very low.

The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider an application for Planning Permission for Development without Compliance with Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, attached to planning permission reference number 23/00293/FPM for Hybrid Planning Application for a new Life Sciences Campus.

Full planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings, structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(ii) and (iii), B2 and B8, with provision for Class E uses at ground, lower ground and upper ground/mezzanine floors) revised junction arrangement (A602 and Gunnels Wood Road) and alterations to the site layout to include new car parking (including a multi storey car park), internal access and associated works (such as new utilities (including new substations), drainage and infrastructure hard and soft landscaping and introduction of sustainable transport facilities).

Outline planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings/structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(i) to (iii), B2 and B8, with provision for an ancillary auditorium, and Class E uses at ground floor) and Amenity Hub (Classes E and B2), provision of car parking (including multi storey car park(s)) and associated works (such as new access, utilities, drainage, infrastructure and hard and soft landscaping), with all matters reserved for subsequent approval.

The Committee received a presentation on the application for Planning Permission for Development without Compliance with Conditions attached to planning permission reference number 23/00293/FPM for Hybrid Planning Application for a new Life Sciences Campus.

Members were advised that the proposal before the committee related to amendments to a hybrid planning permission granted in 2024 for a life science park adjacent to the existing GlaxoSmithKline campus. The approved scheme comprised a detailed phase and outline areas for up to 14 laboratory buildings, three multi-storey car parks, substations, a new gyratory serving the A602 and Gunnels Wood Road.

The current application sought amendments to the implemented permission. As part of the revised layout, laboratory buildings 2 and 4 were relocated to the southern area of the site, closer to the existing GSK campus. This repositioning improved the relationship with the existing campus and created a clearer central development zone for the data centres. Minor amendments were also proposed to the south-west multi-storey car park, including a slight increase in height and footprint to accommodate additional parking associated with the detailed phase.

Two data centres were introduced in the centre of the site within a secure compound. A new substation was proposed in the north-west corner to support their power requirements. The arrival plaza was relocated to sit between buildings 2 and 4, providing improved access to public transport and better connections across the campus. A central forum between these buildings would function as the primary publicly accessible space. Amendments were also proposed to outline development parcels to the east, which would provide three laboratory buildings and an additional multi-storey car park subject to reserved matters.

Members were informed that the primary function of data centres was to store, process and transmit digital information. The proposed facilities would provide approximately 110 megawatts of IT capacity serving the London Public Cloud Region, potentially operated either by co-location providers or large hyperscale technology companies. When compared with other consented facilities in Hertfordshire, the proposal would represent one of the larger developments in terms of IT capacity.

Regarding sustainability, officers advised that data centres were energy-intensive buildings due to cooling requirements. The applicant had assessed a range of cooling technologies and proposed direct evaporative air cooling, which was considered the most energy- and water-efficient option. The expected water consumption was equivalent to approximately 171 UK homes and represented a significant reduction compared with earlier generations of data centres.

The wider masterplan landscape strategy remained largely unchanged from the approved scheme. No changes were proposed to the previously approved access arrangements or the new gyratory.

Buildings 2 and 4, which formed part of the detailed phase, would accommodate specialised laboratory uses and were designed around a series of architectural principles responding to the landscape setting. They would utilise distinct material finishes to create identity while maintaining a cohesive design language across the campus.

The proposed data centres would sit within a secure compound. They had been designed to respond to surrounding public spaces, with feature elevations using  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the change of use of the public car park to a rental vehicle premises (Sui Generis), the erection of modular rental vehicle office and rental vehicle wash bay and associated works (including lighting and resurfacing).

The Committee were presented with an application for the South Car Park on Primett Road. Officers outlined the proposal and explained that the application involved a change of use of part of the public car park to a rental vehicle premises. This would also include associated works such as lighting and resurfacing. 

The Committee were shown site photographs of the area, and were presented with the site plans. It was noted that the application would result in the closure of 90 spaces in the southern area of the car park to accommodate the facility. This would reduce the total car park capacity from 362 to 272 spaces.

It was noted that the Council was ending its car parking contract with the NHS in June, which would release a further 100 season ticket spaces.

Officers explained that the nearby Nexus development and local office occupancy rates made it difficult to predict the future impacts on the potential reduction in car parking.

The Chair introduced Mr Robert Stewart from Stevenage Packaging Limited to address the Committee.

Mr Stewart addressed the Committee and noted that he represented the 67 objections to the application. It was noted that the proposal did not adequately address the loss of the 90 spaces, which would impact the local businesses and restaurants. Discussions took place regarding the new Nexus development and the increase in demand for parking once residents had moved in. Mr Stewart concluded that the application should be refused.

The Chair introduced Mr Chris Dodds, the planning agent representing the applicant to address the Committee.

Mr Dodds spoke in favour of the application and outlined how the proposal complied with national and local planning policies. He noted that the proposal aligned with the town’s long term transport strategy and provided sustainable transport benefits. The Committee were informed of Enterprise’s commitment to engaging with the local community and the potential investment that the facility would bring into the Old Town.

The Chair thanked both the speakers for their contributions and invited the Team Leader to respond.

The Team Leader explained to the Committee that a design and access statement was not required for this application and addressed questions regarding the Nexus development. It was noted that the car parking spaces which would be provided at the Nexus Development complied with the Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) guidelines.

Members raised questions regarding the uncertainty of future impacts on parking in the area. The Director of Planning explained that the role of the Committee was to assess the application before them, weighing the impacts against the proposed benefits.

A question was raised whether the Council had a contingency plan if parking impacts were significant, and Officers confirmed there wasn’t one, as the 90 car parking spaces would not be replaced.

Questions were raised about data beyond January, and it was noted that they only had data for the most recent month, though prior analyses had reached similar conclusions.

Members raised that a future car park impact assessment would be required  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the demolition of an existing property known as Cartref and erection of 38 no. dwellings with associated road, parking, green spaces and ancillary works.

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of the former dwelling known as Cartref (already demolished) and the construction of 38 dwellings, comprising 26 houses and 12 flats.

The Planning Officer presented the application using site location plans, aerial photographs, and site images. Members were informed that the development would comprise two elements:

• A main development area accessed from Clovelly Way, including 20 houses and a block of 12 flats with a new vehicular access.
• A secondary element forming an extension to Symonds Green Lane, providing six detached houses of a traditional design.

The Officer outlined the surrounding context and existing open space, and highlighted proposed pedestrian routes, landscaping, and the provision of a community garden.

Members were advised that new footways and a pedestrian crossing would be provided to improve connectivity to Eastbourne Avenue and nearby bus stops. The development also included a £50,000 contribution towards improvements to the play space at Meadway Playing Fields.

Elevations of the proposed houses and flats were presented, together with landscaping proposals showing retained and replanted trees.

The Officer advised that the parking figures within the report had omitted 11 garage spaces. Including these, the development would provide 89 parking spaces, slightly above the recommended range.

It was also reported that a remediation strategy had been submitted since publication of the report and had been reviewed and accepted by the Environmental Health Officer.

Delegated authority was recommended to finalise the Section 106 agreement and amend or add conditions where necessary.

In response to questions submitted by Members before the meeting, the Officer confirmed that:

• A windfall site was a housing site not allocated within the Local Plan.
• The development would be for sale, except for the affordable units which would be retained by the Council.
• All dwellings would have direct access from the street to gardens, allowing for cycle storage within gardens.
• The secondary education contribution had been requested by the Local Education Authority and the Council could not specify which school would receive the funding.

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 the completion of a section 106 agreement to provide for:

·      Affordable housing

·      Management company for administration of common areas

·      Employment and skills plan

·      Secondary education contribution of £356,114

·      An appropriate trigger for s278 off-site highway works

That delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director for Planning and Regulation, in consultation with the council’s appointed solicitor, to agree the wording of the s106 agreement.

That delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director for Planning and Regulation, in consultation with the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, to amend or add to the conditions subject to which 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.

Conditions

General

1.                     The development shall be carried out in accordance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

There was no Urgent Part II Business.