Agenda item

Application to use The Parade for a Christmas Market between 19 November and 3 January.

Councillor Watkins was absent from the Council Chamber for discussions on this item.

The Committee received the report of the Senior Planning Officer, including the relevant planning history of the site and details of responses to the application.

The Application Case Work Manager provided a brief introduction, explaining that permission was sought for use of The Parade between Exchange Road flyover and Clarendon Road for an annual Christmas Market between 19 November and 3 January.  The proposed market would be positioned in the area currently occupied by casual market stalls for New Watford Market.

Councillors welcomed the application, which they felt would be a positive temporary development on the High Street and would be enjoyed by residents during the festive period around Christmas.  Councillor Rogers suggested that it would enhance trade for the existing stall holders, rather than detract from them.

However there was general concern about the lack of adequate consultation with existing stall holders regarding the siting of the Christmas Market, which might have been better located closer to the Big Skate event at the top of The Parade, or further down the High Street.  Acknowledging these concerns, Councillor Sharpe commented that the Christmas Market promoters had been in a strong position to determine their location.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED –

that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.         The annual Christmas Market use hereby approved shall not be operated outside the period 19^th November – 3^rd January and installation of the market stalls and ancillary equipment shall not commence before 9^th November and shall be completely removed from the highway by 10^th January, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

3.         No market stalls shall be open to members of the public  before 11am or after 10pm, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

4.         The market stalls and ancillary equipment hereby approved shall not encroach any further onto public highway land other than that shown on drawing Nos. WCM/1B and WCM/2/E, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

5.         The market stalls and ancillary equipment hereby approved shall be completely removable, freestanding, and not need any works to be carried out within the footpath in order to secure them.

6.         There shall be no storage of refuse bins, waste materials, boxes or packing cases on the highway, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

7.         The sound power level of the generators shall not exceed 69dB, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

8.         The development shall be carried out in accordance with the details in the application form and following drawings, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The following drawings are hereby approved: Location plan; WCM/1B; and WCM/2/E.

Informatives:

1.         A license is required under s115E of the Highways Act 1980, and this must be obtained from the Watford Borough Council licensing authority.

2.         The storage of ancillary equipment in Wellstones will require a license from the Highway Authority. Further information is available via the website http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/transtreets/highways/ or by telephoning 0300 1234047.