Agenda item

To consider the partial demolition of existing Swimming Centre.

The Committee received a presentation on the application for partial demolition of the existing swimming centre. The officer presented the site plans and clarified that this application was a necessary step in the progression of the development of the new Leisure Centre and would ensure works relating to the wider redevelopment of the site could be implemented more seamlessly and timely given the timeframes and parameters of this strategic project.

A question was raised regarding the current use of the section that was proposed to be demolished, and clarification was given by the officer that this was an area used by staff at the swimming pool.

A Member requested further information on the full development of the new Leisure Centre, and the officer explained that they could be contacted directly for any further questions on that application.

A recorded vote* was taken on the application and it was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions, and Authority would be given to the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulation in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee, to amend or add to the suggested draft conditions set out in this report, prior to the decision notice being issued, where such amendments or additions would be legally sound and most effectively deliver the development that the Planning Committee has resolved to approve. These suggested conditions are as follows:

Conditions

1. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: SSLH-FBA-01-ZZ-D-A-0109-P02; SSLH-FBA-01-ZZ-D-A-0108-P02; SSLH-FBA-01-ZZD-A-0184-P02

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

3. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the measures as contained in 'Demolition Plan of Works - Method Statement' (dated 10.11.25) for the duration of the demolition.

INFORMATIVES

1. Building Regulations

To obtain advice regarding current Building Regulations please contact Hertfordshire Building Control Ltd. by emailing us at building.control@hertfordshirebc.co.uk or phoning us on 01438 879990.

To make a building regulations application please apply through our website portal at https://www.hertfordshirebc.co.uk/contact-us/ payment can be made online or by phoning the above number after the application has been uploaded. Please phone Hertfordshire Building Control for fees guidance on 01438 879990.

Hertfordshire Building Control can also be contacted by post at Hertfordshire Building Control Ltd, Campus East, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6AE.

Once a building regulations application has been deposited with relevant drawings and fee building work may commence. You will be advised in their acknowledgement letter of the work stages we need to inspect but in most instances these are usually:

• Excavation for foundations
• Damp proof course
• Concrete oversite
• Insulation
• Drains (when laid or tested)
• Floor and Roof construction
• Work relating to fire safety
• Work affecting access and facilities for disabled people
• Completion

Please phone Hertfordshire Building Control on 01438 879990 before 10.00am to ensure a same day inspection (Mon - Fri).

2. Biodiversity Net Gain

Applications where Biodiversity Net Gain is not required as development is considered De Minimis

The effect of paragraph 13 of Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is that planning permission granted for the development of land in England is deemed to have been granted subject to the condition "(the biodiversity gain condition") that development may not begin unless:

a) a Biodiversity Gain Plan has been submitted to the planning authority, and

b) the planning authority has approved the plan.

The planning authority, for the purposes of determining whether to approve a

Biodiversity Gain Plan if one is required in respect of this permission would be

Stevenage Borough Council.

There are statutory exemptions and transitional arrangements which mean that the biodiversity gain condition does not apply.

Based on the information available this permission is considered to be one which will not require the approval of a biodiversity gain plan before development is begun because the following statutory exemption or transitional arrangement is considered to apply.

1. Development below the de minimis threshold, meaning development which:

a) does not impact an onsite priority habitat (a habitat specified in a list published under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006); and

b) impacts less than 25 square metres of onsite habitat that has biodiversity value greater than zero and less than 5 metres in length of onsite linear habitat (as defined in the statutory metric).

Where the local planning authority considers that the permission falls within paragraph 19 of Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the permission which has been granted has the effect of requiring or permitting the development to proceed in phases. The modifications in respect of the biodiversity gain condition which are set out in Part 2 of the Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Modifications and Amendments) (England) Regulations 2024 apply.

Biodiversity gain plans are required to be submitted to, and approved by, the planning authority before development may be begun, and, if subject to phased development, before each phase of development may be begun.

If the onsite habitat includes irreplaceable habitat (within the meaning of the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024) there are additional requirements for the content and approval of Biodiversity Gain Plans. The Biodiversity Gain Plan must include, in addition to information about steps taken or to be taken to minimise any adverse effect of the development on the habitat, information on arrangements for compensation for any impact the development has on the biodiversity of the irreplaceable habitat. The planning authority can only approve a Biodiversity Gain Plan if satisfied that the adverse effect of the development on the biodiversity of the irreplaceable habitat is minimised and appropriate arrangements have been made for the purpose of compensating for any impact which do not include the use of biodiversity credits.

More information can be found in the Planning Practice Guidance online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/biodiversity-net-gain

*Recorded Vote

For – Councillors Julie Ashley-Wren, Stephen Booth, Robert Boyle, Peter Clark, Lynda Guy, Rob Henry, Claire Parris, Ellie Plater and Carolina Veres

Against – 0

Abstentions – 0

Absent – Councillors Kamal Choudhury, Forhad Chowdhury, Coleen De Freitas, Akin Elekolusi and Nigel Williams