Minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 15th June 2011 at 8.15 p.m. in the Council Offices, 1a Brushwood Close, Welham Green

Those Present:

Councillors                              R N Horrocks              Chairman

Mrs J Boulton              Vice Chairman

C Everard

Also present                            R L Wheeler

Officer                                     Ann Morton                  Clerk

The meeting commenced at 8.50 p.m.

20.  Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Travell and Storey (Herts LAF meeting).

21.  Declarations of interest

Councillors Horrocks and Everard declared a personal interest as members of the North Mymms District Green Belt Society in agenda item 6 for all planning applications being considered that are in the Green Belt.

22.  Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 25th May 2011 were approved as a true record and were signed by the Chairman.

23.  Planning decisions

The following decisions by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council were noted:

Ref 2011/0817/LU at 160 Dixons Hill Road, Certificate of Lawfulness for rear extension and dormer – approved.

Ref 2011/0774 at 21 Pine Grove, Erection of new dwelling following demolition of existing dwelling, time extension for permission 2008/0502 – approved.

Ref 2011/0743 at Queenswood School, demolition of existing classroom and replacement classrooms for five year period – approved.

Ref 2011/0701 at 19 Kentish Lane, demolish side extension rear conservatory and part front extension façade and erection of single and two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and two storey front extension and façade alterations – approved.

Ref 2011/0706/LU at 74 Bell Lane, Certificate of Lawfulness for rear extension, alter roof and new porch – refused.

Ref 2011/0482 at 13 Dixons Hill Close, demolish existing conservatory and erection of new conservatory – approved.

Ref 2011/0678 at 2 Georges Wood Road, erection of nine apartments in three blocks with associated car parking and landscaping, time extension for permission 2008/0670 – approved.

Ref 2011/0781/LU at 15 Oaklands Avenue, Certificate of Lawfulness for single storey rear extension – approved.

Ref 2011/0287 at Meadside Great North Road, remove garage and erect two storey side extension – refused.  Reason summary: proposal would have disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original dwelling and therefore represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt.

24.  Planning appeals

The appeal against refusal of planning permission ref 2010/2167 at Green Close and Station Road for erection of fourteen residential units, garages and car parking was dismissed.  Reason summary: scheme due to its overall size and cramped nature would cause harm to the character and appearance of surroundings within Brookmans Park village.  Members remarked that they were not aware this application had gone to appeal.

25.  Planning applications

Members considered the following planning applications and RESOLVED to either not to comment or to submit comments or objections to the Planning Authority as follows:

i)                    Ref 2011/0939 at Little Foxes, Foxes Lane – installation of solar panels. 

No comment.

ii)                  Ref 2011/0942 at A Brand and Son Ltd, Bulls Lane – installation of solar panels. 

No comment.

iii)                Ref 2011/0863 at 27 Kentish Lane – demolition of existing dwelling and garage and erection of new dwelling.

North Mymms Parish Council comments that this site is in the Green Belt so the proposed dwelling should comply with policies for replacement dwellings in the Green Belt.

iv)               Ref 2011/0846 at 22 Bluebridge Road – erection of attached side garage.

No comment.

v)                 Ref 2011/0744 at Hawkshead House, Hawkshead Lane (Royal Veterinary College) – variation of conditions 2 (approved plans), 4 (planting) and 10 (hard surfacing) to amend plan no. W100062L01 revision D to revision J from permission 2009/1890.

No comment.

vi)               Ref 2011/0669 at 1 Moffats Lane – amend permission 2009/1002 to include installation of rooflights, erection of single storey extension, enlargement of front porch and amended window to side elevation.

No comment.

vii)             Ref 2011/1030 at Bell Bar Farm, Woodside Lane – conversion and extension to existing stable to form dwelling and new detached garage after demolition of barn.

No comment.

viii)           Ref 2011/0975 at 6 Mymms Drive – erection of single storey detached double garage.

No comment.

ix)                Ref 2011/1014 at Thunderbridge Yard, Bulls Lane – erection of ten stables following the demolition of existing, time extension to planning permission S6/2007/1009/FP.

No comment.

x)                  Ref 2011/1021 at 6 Hawkshead Lane – erection of single storey side and rear extensions.

North Mymms Parish Council comments that this site is in the Green Belt so the proposed extension should comply with Green Belt policies.

xi)                Ref 2011/0976 at 73 Mymms Drive – erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing single storey rear extension.

No comment.

xii)              Ref 2011/1063 at 23 Georges Wood Road – proposed front extension and single storey side extension and new proposed first floor extension.

No comment.

The Chairman proposed and it was agreed to consider the following tree works application:

xiii)            Ref 2011/1052 at 1 Welham Manor – 30% crown reduction of pine covered by TPO.

North Mymms Parish Council normally objects to work to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order but in this case will accept the recommendation of the Arborologist.

26.  Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Core Strategy consultation

It was agreed that the consultation on ‘How many new homes?’ should be considered by full Council.  Councillor Horrocks will recommend the option for the lowest number of dwellings, he will list the reasons why and circulate a paper to members before the Council meeting.

27.  NALC policy consultations

The Department of Communities and Local Government consultation on ‘Planning for Travellers’ was considered.  Councillor Horrocks offered to circulate a paper to be considered by full Council and this was agreed.

The Department of Communities and Local Government consultation on ‘Relaxation of Planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential’ was considered.  Councillor Horrocks suggested that this initiative should be supported by this Council but Councillor Mrs Boulton felt support should be qualified and not include industrial use to housing for example.  Councillor Horrocks offered to circulate a paper to be considered by full Council and this was agreed.

28.  Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be on Wednesday 29th June 2011.

The meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.

                                                Signed _____________________________

                                                Date    _____________________________