Apologies had been received from Councillors Connal and Watkin.

There was a change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Jeffree replaced Councillor Johnson.

There were no Disclosures of Interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2014 to be submitted and signed.  (All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2014 were submitted and signed.

A total of one application report is included on this agenda for decision, which will be within the Government’s target dates for determination of applications.

On 9^th July 2014 there were no applications over eight weeks not yet determined but under consideration by the Development Management Section Head.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

An application for the demolition of the office building at 1 Percy Road, garage and first floor dwelling at 1a Percy Road and building to the rear of 30 Market Street.  Construction of 9 flats - 1 x one bed and 8 x two bed with associated bin store, cycle store and courtyard amenity space.

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site and details of six responses to the application.

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the application and drew the Committee’s attention to the Update Sheet which noted the amended drawings, amended Condition 6 and the additional Condition 10. 

Councillor Bashir referred to page 25 of the agenda and noted the impact on the existing parking problems in the area of nine ‘car free’ flats. He asked whether sufficient measures had been taken to control the effect on parking of the extra vehicles at the new development and whether an assessment had been conducted on the effect of displaced parking for existing homes.

The Senior Planning Officer advised that Policy T26 of the Watford District Plan 2000 provided for car free developments which had good access to existing passenger transport services.  He noted that the flats would be within walking distance of both train stations and bus stops; he added that the proposal would be sited in a sustainable location and that shops and amenities were close by.  He also advised that there were bus stops located within 200m of the site. 

The Senior Planning Officer further advised that the site was located within a Controlled Parking Zone and since occupiers of the flats would not be entitled to parking permits, this would act as a deterrent to car ownership.

Councillor Bashir then referred to the issue of privacy as stated on page 23 of the report.  He noted that the report had explained that the proposal would ‘not give rise to significant impact on the privacy of neighbours’ and asked whether the application should be granted when privacy remained an issue.

The Senior Planning Officer advised that the new development could actually improve levels of privacy for neighbours in some respects.  He said that there were currently two first floor windows on the southeast elevation of 1 Percy Road which faced windows on the rear of number 28 Market Street and that those windows were currently fitted with clear glass; the new building, however, would have no windows on this elevation.  The officer added that the new windows on the rear elevation of the new building closest to No. 3 Percy Road would not be sited nearer to the rear of the properties located on Market Street when compared to those which exist at present at the rear of No. 1A.  He also advised that some of those windows on the rear elevations of Market Street properties were small and did not serve habitable rooms, as detailed on the plans.       

Councillor Sharpe asked whether Mr Drage, who had made objections to the proposal and had expressed a wish to speak to the Committee, was aware that the current meeting was being held. 

The Chair replied that at a residents’ meeting on the previous evening, Mr Drage had said that it appeared that he was the only party with an interest in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.