Agenda item

To consider the change of use of parking bays to facilitate construction of outdoor seating area associated with 56 - 58 High Street.

It was RESOLVED that application 23/00482/FP – Cinnabar, Old Stevenage, be deferred to allow for further discussions and negotiations with the Applicant and Herts County Council as Highway Authority regarding the area to the front of the premises currently proposed for outdoor seating, remaining as allocated parking spaces.

The Committee considered an application for the change of use of parking bays to facilitate construction of an outdoor seating area associated with 56-58 High Street, Stevenage.

The Senior Development Officer reminded the Committee that the current application had been deferred by the Committee in October 2023 when Members sought clarity on the implications of the newly adopted Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 in terms of the issuances of licences for outdoor seating on pavements.  She advised that the key change from the new Act was that the time-limited pavement licence provisions were made permanent.

The Chair then invited Mrs Gray and Mr Hills, both objectors to the application, to address the Committee.

Mrs Gray advised that with the reduction of the parking spaces proposed, access to the shops would be made more difficult for disabled people who would not be able to park outside of the shops.  There had been no consultation with the local businesses which would be impacted by the use and lack of parking.  The High Street should remain a thriving area for all businesses and not just for a few.

Mr Hills recognised the need for cultural premises in the High Street but was concerned about other local businesses.  In relation to the car park in Primett Road, in his opinion, this was not an alternative for elderly, disabled or wheelchair users as it was too far away.  The weather was also not conducive for the use of outdoor tables for eating and drinking.

The Chair then invited Mr Russell Linnard, on behalf of the applicant to address the Committee.  Mr Linnard advised that no objections had been raised by Herts County Council as Highways Authority, SBC Engineers Department or BEAMS and this application was a great opportunity to enhance the overall experience for residents and wider users of the High Street.

The Chair thanked all speakers for their contributions to the meeting.

The Senior Planning Officer then advised Members that the issue of the change of use of the land would be covered by a pavement licence, therefore, this application was only concerned with the proposed engineering works which comprised the removal of 4no. on-street parking bays, construction of a widened public footpath and associated kerbs and ancillary works.

Members asked a number of questions and the following responses were given:

·         Stevenage Borough Council would issue the pavement licence which was a separate function of the Council and not a planning matter;

·         Officers could raise with the County Council the issue of the lack of disabled parking spaces in the area;

·         The parking at the front of the premises was not a designated parking space although it was accepted that informal parking took place currently;

·         Public safety was not a planning consideration;

·         The new legislation encouraged businesses to have outdoor seating arrangements;

·         In response to a request from members regarding a potential compromise regarding the parking at the front of the premises, Officers agreed they would speak to the applicant regarding the parking concerns.

It was RESOLVED that application 23/00482/FP – Cinnabar, Old Stevenage, be deferred to allow for further discussions and negotiations with the Applicant and Herts County Council as Highway Authority regarding the area to the front of the premises currently proposed for outdoor seating, remaining as allocated parking spaces with a further report back to Committee in February 2024.