Councillor Bell had sent apologies as he would be late to the meeting.

Councillor Sharpe advised that he had attended various meetings with residents and officers regarding the road to the Health Campus.  He confirmed that he had made no declaration with regard to the application at minute number 57. 

Councillor Johnson said that he had received a number of emails regarding the application at minute number 55 but that had not been influenced by their content.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2013 to be submitted and signed.  (All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2013 were submitted and signed.

A total of three application reports are included on this agenda for decision, of which three will be within the Government’s target dates for determination of application.

On 4 December 2013 there were no applications over eight weeks not yet determined but under consideration by the Development Management Section Head. 

The Committee received a report advising that as at 4 December 2013 there had been no applications over eight weeks yet to be determined.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

Application to demolish the existing warehouse building and to erect a two storey building to provide 2 self contained flats together with associated recycle and waste storage bins and bicycle stands. 

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site and details of four letters citing objections.

The Applications Casework Manager drew the meeting’s attention to the Update Sheet and to the comments as received from the Hertfordshire County Council as Highway Authority.  He noted that two conditions had been suggested: the first condition was acceptable but he advised that the second was not feasible at this site. 

It was agreed that the Highway Authority’s comments should have referred to Terrace Gardens rather than ‘Terrence Road’.

The Chair invited Councillor Hofman to address the Committee.

Councillor Hofman asked how information regarding the applications was communicated to residents and the public.  He said that he was aware that officers ensured that applications were rigorously checked but that this application had been the subject of a number of objections from residents who were unhappy with the proposed development.

Councillor Hofman advised that residents had concerns regarding loss of light and loss of privacy and considered that the development would result in a very narrow passage-way for vehicular access and egress whereas there was currently a clear exit.  He added that residents in Terrace Gardens would find access difficult during construction and asked what safety measures would be put in place during this time.   He also asked whether alternative parking spaces would be provided.  

Councillor Hofman then referred to further concerns which residents had expressed with regard to perceived anti-social behaviour and dog fouling.  He asked whether CCTV could be installed; this action would be beneficial not only to residents but would also assist in guarding the construction site while building was in progress. 

The Chair asked the Applications Casework Manager to address Councillor Hofman’s concerns.

The officer explained that those residents whose properties were close to and adjoined the site had been notified by letter as these would be most affected by the development.  Notices had been posted at the site and since the proposal was in a conservation area, an advertisement had been placed in the local newspaper.  In addition to these measures, all plans and documents had been scanned and posted on the Council’s website. 

The Applications Casework Manager added that residents could view this information on line or they could go to the Town Hall and speak to officers in the Customer Service Centre.  He advised that a duty planning officer was available to speak to visitors every day between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.  He said that Watford Borough Council had many different methods of communication which were above those statutorily required and that all comments received were considered and evaluated. 

The Application Casework Manager then addressed the subject of refuse storage.   He advised that provision for refuse bins had been addressed by the Applicant and that plans had been amended.  He further advised that all issues with regard to loss of daylight and overlooking had been addressed and that there was nothing within the application which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

An application for the erection of a steel framed spectator stand with cantilever roof comprising circa 2,600 seats with a concourse area at ground level incorporating concession outlets, toilets and new changing rooms for players and officials.  Access to be via existing turnstile openings in the boundary wall along Occupation Road.

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site.

The Chair invited Mr Naweed Gulzar to address the Committee.

Mr Gulzar said that he had emailed the Major Cases Manager to ask whether there would be one or two new stands constructed.  He advised that were two stands to be built this would introduce additional fans and consequently more traffic in the area.  There would then be a concomitant environmental effect resulting in greater congestion and problems for residents. 

Mr Gulzar added that extra fans would create more litter and additional noise and parking problems which would impact on residents.   Furthermore, additional congestion would ensure requiring extra policing; he asked how extra policing would be funded.  Mr Gulzar then suggested that there would be additional problems with anti-social behaviour, centred specifically in the vicinity of the local public houses. 

Mr Gulzar reminded Members of problems in May 2012, when a gridlock had formed in the town, and noted that the area around the stadium was part of a major through-route.  Mr Gulzar asked for information regarding the height of the stand and urged that the specific measurements be rigidly adhered to.  He concluded by recommending that the impact on local residents be a significant consideration in the committee’s decision.

The Chair then invited Mr Glyn Evans to speak to the Committee.

Mr Evans advised that Watford Football Club was at a significant point in its history and that the received image of the club, both locally, nationally and internationally, was based on sport played at the stadium.   It was generally agreed that the East Stand was a ‘shambles’.

Mr Evans explained that there was an existing planning permission, granted in 2008 and extended in 2011, which provided for a stand larger than the present application.  He noted that issues such as traffic and pollution had all been addressed in 2008. 

Referring to the incident in May 2012 as mentioned by Mr Gulzar, Mr Evans said that contractors would be made aware of these problems and that congestion would not be caused by construction traffic as had occurred in the past: he assured the meeting that the development would be robustly managed.   He asked that the committee approve the application and said that erection of this stand would greatly improve the image of the club.

The Committee then debated the application.

Councillor Sharpe noted that planning permission had already been granted for a new East Stand and that it would be perverse to refuse this application.  He advised that the football ground had been in its present location since 1922 and that the proposal would not add massively to capacity but would restore it to its original size. 

Councillor Sharpe considered that the retention of a derelict stand at the ground would be harmful to the club.  The proposed development would be attractive and the structure unobtrusive for neighbouring residents; in addition, an attractive site would make the club inviting to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Application for the demolition of existing Cardiff Road Industrial Estate buildings and structures, construction of a new hospital access road (comprising the Access Road and Link Road) between Dalton Way and Willow Lane comprising new carriageway, footpaths and cycle-ways, new railway over-bridge (vehicular and pedestrian/cycle), formation of new road junctions with Dalton Way, Willow Lane and Wiggenhall Road, embankments, drainage works, ground remodelling and flood compensation works, landscaping (permanent and interim), retention of temporary hospital car parking and provision of replacement temporary hospital car parking areas (temporary access via Vicarage Road) construction compounds, soil remediation facility, utilities and other ancillary works.

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site and details of seven replies raising objections to the application.

The Major Cases Manager outlined plans for the access road and drew attention to the Update sheet.  He noted that two additional letter of support for the application had been received, that condition 2 had been amended (as there had been errors in the drawing numbers) and an additional informative had been included. 

The Chair invited Mr Phil Wood to speak to the committee.

Mr Wood said that he was pleased to support this application as it represented an important milestone in the delivery of the Health Campus.  He noted the three elements to the scheme: the link road, the access road and the new bridge. 

Mr Wood advised that the Watford Health Campus Partnership was currently finalising the masterplan application.  He said that the road would be the first construction in the overall plan and that this would be a vital element in the infrastructure supporting the campus.  He noted that it would not only ease congestion in the vicinity of the hospital but would provide for emergency access; indeed the proposal was driven by this need.  Additionally the road would allow greater ease of access for both local residents and staff at the hospital. 

Mr Wood informed the meeting that the original masterplan had been revisited and reconfigured and that Keir, having identified potential improvements, had moved the siting of the road further to the north of Oxhey Park.  He agreed that the construction of the road would reduce sports facilities in the area but noted that new locations had been found which were fully supported by Sport England.  

Mr Wood advised that the bridge would be shorter in length than had been originally planned and added that the proposed road would ease congestion in Vicarage Road and would facilitate access for ‘blue light’ traffic.   With reference to the sports facilities which would be ‘lost’ in Oxhey Park he confirmed that these would be re-provided elsewhere in the Borough and noted the low levels of objections to the application.  He concluded by urging that the Committee grant the application in order to further the regeneration of the Watford Health Campus. 

The Committee then discussed the application.

Councillor Derbyshire said that he fully supported the application and advised that this proposal formed a key element in the development of the Health Campus.  He explained that it was a necessity that the road be completed by 2016 before work commenced on the Croxley Rail Link.  He advised that the campus would be of great benefit to Watford residents and would involve significant public investment.

Councillor Bell pointed out that the access road would assist in the regeneration of the Cardiff Road industrial estate and that the proposal had his full support.  He noted that whilst the road would ease congestion, he had concerns regarding the loss of wildlife habitat  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.