KINGS WALDEN PARISH COUNCIL
Tom Rea,
North Herts District Council
Planning Control
23June 2017
Application Ref no.17/01207/1 at The Spinney, Heath Road, Breachwood Green, Hitchin, SG4 8PL
DearTom,
At the meeting of Kings Walden Parish Council on Tuesday 20th June 2017, attended by over 30 electors, the planning application for 9 dwellings at The Spinney, Breachwood Green was discussed.
The public asked many questions about the status of the land, the status of green belt and the proposed village envelope. Your advice, concerning the weight to be given to the Local Plan, and the proposal to classify Breachwood Green as a category A village with a village envelope was read out.
Electors raised objections regarding the proximity of the development of houses in St Mary’s Rise and to the ridge height of houses overlooking the bungalows in St Mary’s Rise. An elector stated that there was a covenant on the houses in St Mary’s Risepreventing building above the current height.
Several electors referred to recent landfill activities and noted that the site had previously been a brick works with clay being dug from the site.
Electors were also concerned about disruption during development and the impact on pedestrians and horse riders.
A specific concern was the impact of delivery lorries along the narrow roads leading to the village.
Concern was raised regarding parking both during development and after occupancy with concern that there was insufficient parking on the site.
Council Response
The council addressed these concerns and pointed out that the applicant had sought pre-application advice, that the garages were not included in the parking calculations which meet the Local Planning Authority parking policy, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development in the NPPF.
After hearing public representations and following debate, members RESOLVED to make the following response:
The council does not object in principle to this development, subject to suitable conditions listed later.
The council does however object to the development on the grounds that the applicant has not proven the site is sustainable and safe to build upon.
The council is concerned that this site was until the last century used as a brickworks, that clay had been dug out but only recently infilled. The council is unaware of any permits for such landfill activity.
It was noted that the applicant had not provided a soil survey indicating what the subsoil was and whether the infilled areas were suitable for construction.
The council therefore believes that no development should take place until a soil survey is undertaken and the suitability can be demonstrated.
The council also believes a flood assessment should be provided as flooding in adjacent areas has been noted. One of the public representations spoke of subsidence in St Marys Rise. Another representation suggested that when houses in St Mary’s Rise were constructed the original plan allowed for two more houses, on the proposed site, but that they were not built because the land was deemed unsuitable.
If the LPA is minded to grantpermission, the council suggests several conditions:
- Hours of operation should be restricted to after school start and conclude before school end. Reason, to ensure safe passage of pedestrians and minimise disruption to parents taking and collecting children.
- A safe travel plan is prepared demonstrating how pedestrian d an horse riders can pass the site safely.
- A section 106 agreement is signed which includes provision for the Parish Council to deliver those elements such as play areas not provided by the Local Authority.
- Weight restrictions are applied such that delivery lorries do not exceed the weight limits on the surrounding roads.
- A highways plan is published showing the impact on traffic at the junction of the site.
- The developer employs highways cleaning equipment to protect the highway and reinstates any damage caused to the highway or verges on the local roads leading to the development site.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Brindley
Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
Kings Walden Parish Council
191 High Street Codicote SG4 8UD ♦ 01438 820477
Clerk: Tom Brindley ♦ Chairman: Cllr AKing
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