There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Johnson advised that he had been involved in discussions and meetings with Watford Community Housing on application 19/00709/FULM and had made a number of public statements on the scheme.  He would not therefore participate in this part of the meeting and would leave the room during discussions.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019 were submitted and signed.

Councillor Johnson left the Council Chamber at this point of the meeting.

Proposal is for a multi functional community space, retail unit and 17 high quality residential units to be built on the site with associated amenity space, parking, refuse and cycle storage.

The committee received the report of the Interim Head of Development Management, including the relevant planning history of the site.

The Principal Planning Officer (AC) explained that the proposal was for a multi-functional community space, retail unit and 17 high quality residential units to be built on the site with associated amenity space, parking, refuse and cycle storage.

The Chair invited Nick Wright, Head of Delivery at Watford Community Housing, to speak to the committee.  Mr Wright explained that the proposed scheme was part of a larger programme between Watford Community Housing and Watford Borough Council to deliver 55 new homes for social rent across the borough.  The current application would provide accommodation to meet the needs of local families and included plans for a community hub building and small shop.

Mr Wright advised that further consultation was being undertaken with residents to agree the internal configuration of the new hub building in order to optimise its usefulness to the local community.  It was not anticipated that any changes would require additional consideration by the Development Management Committee.

Members of the committee welcomed the application, particularly its 100% social rented units including two suitable for wheelchair use.  The development would provide a much needed resource for households on the council’s housing register and firmly met one of the council’s key priorities.

Although some committee members expressed concerns about reduced community space in the hub building and limited play areas for children, it was acknowledged that the proposed layout of the replacement community centre would be a more efficient use of space.

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED –

Section 106 Heads of Terms

i)          To secure all 17 residential units as Affordable Social Rented accommodation.

ii)         To secure the provision of fire hydrants as required by the County Council to serve the development.

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 development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawings:

490.01

490.02

PL 010

PL 020

PL 050

PL 100

PL 101

PL 102

PL 103

PL 104

PL 200

PL 201

PL 700

PL 701

Transport Statement Report No. 133336-R01(0)

Private Car Tracking Layout Plan No. 133336 02 01 01 Rev: P03

Refuse Vehicle Tracking Plan No. 133336 02 01 02 Rev: P01

Dimensions and Visibility Plan No. 133336 02 01 04 Rev: P01

Surface Water Drainage and SuDS Strategy Ref: 219058 – August 2019

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Ref: 4004AO/18

3.         No dwelling shall be occupied until such time as the applicant has secured the written authorisation for the stopping up order of the public highway under section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the car parking is provided in accordance with the plans.

4.         No construction works above damp proof course level shall commence until details of the materials to be used for all the external  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

Creation of a new mezzanine and variation of condition 20, of LPA Ref: 97/0563/9, to allow the sale of clothing and footwear

The committee received the report of the Interim Head of Development Management, including the relevant planning history of the site.

The Principal Planning Officer (AC) introduced the report advising that the application would create a new mezzanine and variation of condition 20, of LPA Ref: 97/0563/9, to allow the sale of clothing and footwear.

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below:

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 development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawings:

11842-110

11842-111

11842-112

3.         The retail floor space hereby permitted shall not be used for the retail sale and display of ‘food’ other than where it is ancillary to the primary permitted ranges and from no more than 5% of the gross area of the premises.

4.         There shall be no outside storage of goods, materials or packaging at any time.

5.         The units hereby approved shall not be sub-divided into smaller units of floor space without the written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

6.         No music, public address system, or any other amplified sound shall be operated within the site so as to be audible within any residential premises either abutting or in the vicinity of the site.

7.         No lorries shall enter to service the development except between 07.30 and 21.00 hours daily.

8.         No external plant or machinery shall be installed without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Informatives

1.         IN907 – Positive and proactive statement

2.         IN910 – Building Regulations

3.         IN912 – Hours of Construction

4.         IN913 – Community Infrastructure Levy

Proposed infill extensions between existing commercial buildings (in Class B2 and B8), to provide new business units and commercial floor space (flexible space in Class B1c, B2 and/or B8)

The committee received the report of the Interim Head of Development Management, including the relevant planning history of the site.

The Principal Planning Officer (AR) introduced the report explaining that the application proposed infill extensions between existing commercial buildings (in Class B2 and B8), to provide new business units and commercial floor space (flexible space in Class B1c, B2 and/or B8), resulting in an increase in the total number of units from 21 to 37; erection of podium level with lift and stair access to provide 10 additional business units (Class B1a), and shared WC facilities above new car parking areas; revision of existing parking areas to provide for an increase in parking spaces from 43 to 76 spaces; and provision of new bin storage areas and landscaping works.

Attention was drawn to the update sheet which included two additional conditions following the removal of objections from Hertfordshire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority.

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation subject to the addition of two further conditions.

RESOLVED –

That conditional planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below:

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 development shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The following drawings are hereby approved:

            000 (001) Site Location Plan

            000 (002) Rev A Existing site plan

            000 (003) Rev A Existing elevations 1

            000 (004) Rev A Existing elevations 2

            000 (005) Rev Q Proposed site plan

            000 (006) Rev P Proposed first floor plan

            000 (007) Rev K Proposed elevations 1

            000 (008) Rev M Proposed elevations 2

            000 (009) Rev K Proposed elevations 3

            000 (010) Rev K Prospective views

            000 (011) Rev K Prospective 3D Views 1

            000 (012) Prospective 3D Views 2

            000 (013) Prospective 3D Views 3

            000 (014) Prospective 3D Views 4

            000 (015) Prospective 3D Views 5

            000 (016) Prospective 3D Views 6

            000 (017) Prospective 3D Views 7

            000 (018) Prospective 3D Views 8

            000 (019) Rev A Prospective 3D Views 9

            000 (020) Rev B Prospective 3D Views 10

3.         No work shall commence until a detailed tree and landscaping scheme for the site, including details of trees to the retained, trees to be removed and replacement planting, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved landscaping scheme shall be carried out not later than the first available planting and seeding season after completion of development. Any trees or plants whether new or existing which within a period of five years die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, or in accordance with details approved by the Local Planning Authority.

4.         No external facing materials shall be installed on any building of the development until  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.