The Principal Planning Officer delivered her report and the committee noted that an update sheet had been provided to them and also published on the council’s website.  

            The Chair then invited Dr Philip Aylett to address the committee. 

            Dr Aylett explained his concerns regarding potential flooding at the site of the proposed development, citing Hertfordshire County Council experts’ submissions over the failure to take into account the increase in surface water.  Although there was a planned 75% reduction in the rate of discharge, this did not take climate change into account.  Dr Aylett pointed out that part of the site was already classified as high risk in relation to flooding and asked officers to explain why this important risk assessment was not included in the report. 

            Turning to the flood risk assessment, Dr Aylett pointed out that the southern corner should not be built upon, but the proposal is for the main entrance to be sited in that area. 

            Dr Aylett expressed his concern regarding the potential wind tunnel effect with such tall buildings, the small amount of green landscaping and the lack of privacy with the triple towers being sited directly opposite each other and only 17 metres apart. 

            He pointed out that the five years of construction works would have a significant adverse effect on the patients in the existing hospital, especially as many windows needed to be open, resulting in exposure to dust, pollution and noise. 

            Dr Aylett pointed out that at 82 metres, the proposed scheme would be the fourth highest NHS building in the country.  He concluded by urging the committee to reject the application as it would not provide the promised healing environment.

            The Chair thanked Dr Aylett and asked the Principal Planning Officer to comment on the issue of flooding.  She commented that according to the Environment Agency, the site was in flood zone 1, the lowest risk of flooding.  As regards surface water flooding, the council consulted with the flood water team at Hertfordshire County Council.  Because the scheme was only an outline at this stage, it was not possible for the design team to provide full solutions as this was part of the outline reserve matters process.  Condition 4 provided various strategies and requirements to address this issue. 

            The Chair then invited Mr Duane Passman, the Acute Hospital Programme Director for West Hertfordshire NHS Trust to address the committee.

            Mr Passman explained how the Trust had been pursuing improvements to its estate for over twenty years, with two thirds below the minimum required standard.  He went on to list various statistics concerning the poor state of Watford Hospital and described the submission in 2015, highlighting that the redevelopment of the existing site together with improvements at Hemel Hempstead and St Albans was the quickest and most effective route to provide new facilities. 

            Mr Passman described how the approval of the outline planning permission, was an essential step in the process to secure the necessary funds.  He went on to describe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14