MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE HELD ON

3 SEPTEMBER 2007

Cllr K Armstrong / * / Cllr C Horner
* / Cllr J Barfoot / * / Cllr R Taylor
* / Cllr K Barnes / * / Cllr K Warnell (Chairman)
* / Cllr P Demonti / Cllr Miss C Woodman (V/Chairman)

* Denotes present

230.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Miss Woodman

231.MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20 AUGUST 2007

RESOLVED: that the Minutes be received as a correct record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

232.DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Cllr WarnellPersonal Planning Application3/07/1719/FP/LH

233.PLANNING NOTIFICATIONS

i) No objections were raised on the following applications:-

3/07/1620/FP/SE / Two storey rear extension
25 Cedar Park
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Benson
3/07/1634/FP/SE / Conversion of existing hard-porous hockey pitch to a synthetic pitch, with full sized safety margins, floodlighting and fencing. Provision of a bund to screen and shelter the pitch. Change of surfacing on footpath
Great Hadham Road
Applicant: Mr Ian McCulloch, Bishop’s StortfordCollege
Note: Members requested that floodlighting should be extinguished at 10pm, in consideration of local residents.
3/07/1640/FP/MP / Rear conservatory
34 The Meadows
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Hale
3/07/1670/FP/SE / Two storey rear extension with side dormer window and two conservation lights to existing loft space
30 Hadham Road
Applicant: Mr David Rushant
3/07/1673/FP/LH / Revised scheme for single storey extension. Previously approved 3/06/2213/FP
126 Stortford Hall Park
Applicant: Mr A Lester
3/07/1718/FP/EH / Change of office use (Business B1) to office/gymnasium with new entrance doors
231 London Road
Applicant: Mrs V Barlow
3/07/1748/FP/SE / Single storey side and rear extension
47 Penningtons
Applicant: Steve Daniels

ii) Objections were made on the following applications:-

3/07/1348/FP/AY / Change of use of land to storage of new cars
Bishop’s Stortford Football Club, WoodsidePark
Applicant: Bishop’s Stortford Football Club
Reason:
i / Inappropriate use of Green Belt land. Any commercial operation including the storage of cars was considered out of keeping on Green Belt land.
ii / The ingress and egress was considered unsuitable for large car transporters particularly in regard to the site’s close proximity to the public amenity site.
3/07/1708/FP/SE / Two storey front extension and loft conversion with dormer window
12 Pinelands
Applicant: Karen Ritchie
Reason:
i / The proposed extensions were considered to be out of keeping with the street scene.
ii / Loss of privacy and overlooking to residents of No 10 Pinelands
iii / The front extension would limit off street parking
iv / The front and rear extensions were considered to be overbearing.
3/07/1716/PT/LH / Installation of new 13 metre street furniture column replacing lamp post 610 along with 2no ground based equipment cabinets
LP 610, Great Hadham Road/Oriole Way
Applicant: 02
Reason:
The proposal would be contrary to the Town Council’s Policy BS005 – Bishop’s Stortford Town Council objected to any new telecommunication mast application on the grounds of public health, safety and appearance. No masts of any height should be placed within 250m of a residential area and 500m of any school. The Town Council encouraged the sharing of masts with multiple operators before any new application be considered.
3/07/1719/FP/LH / Construction of second floor to provide 3no 1 bed residential units and raise roof to extend existing residential unit
Barnes Carpets, 72 South Street
Applicant: Mr A Barnes
Reason: Serious car parking issues would resultin the immediate area due to the lack of parking provision at the development.

234.PLANNING DECISIONS

RESOLVED: that the attached list of planning decisions issued by East Herts Council be noted.

235.APPEALS

None to date

236.STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING

None to date.

237.FACILITIES FOR CYCLISTS IN THE TOWN CENTRE

Cllr Warnell reported that he had recently been approached by a group of cyclists who had expressed concern regarding the lack of cycle parking facilities at the southern end of the town centre. Cllr Warnell also stated that in his opinion cycling should be encouraged and he wondered if it would be feasible for cyclists to utilise the bus lane link between Thorley and Havers. He considered that if the trees and bushes between the bus lane and the footpath were cleared it would be possible for the area to be used as a cycle lane. Members concurred that Bishop’s Stortford was not cycle friendly and it was noted that the new cycle racks at the new Sainsburys store were tucked away out of sight, making it easy for cycles to be stolen. The consensus of opinion was that much needed to be done to upgrade the cycle facilities in Bishop’s Stortford and in this regard it was requested that a letter be forwarded to the Chairman of the Highways Joint Member Panel requesting that relevant Highway staff be invited to attend a future meeting of the Planning and Environmental Committee to discuss suggestions for improved facilities for cyclists.

238.PROPOSED 20MPH SPEED LIMIT – VARIOUS ROADS ST MICHAEL’S MEAD

Members had been circulated with the attached correspondence from Hertfordshire Highways, in which members comments had been requested regarding the implementation of aproposed 20mph speed limit on various roads in St Michael’s Mead. Members were of the opinion that the proposal was sensible in that it would ensure that the whole of St Michael’s Meadhad a 20mph speed restriction. However members felt that the speed limit would only be strictlyobserved if enforcement action was taken against motorists who broke the speed limit and in this regard members suggested that mobile speed cameras should be utilised in the area.

RESOLVED:Members supported in principle the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on various roads in St Michael’s Mead, but requested that Police enforcement action be taken against those motorists breaking the speed limit.

239.UP-DATED REPORTS

i / Alterations in Tesco Car Park, Bishop’s Park (first raised 20 August 2007)
A response had been received from the Manager of Tesco confirming that, although trees in the car park had been removed as a result of the alterations, replacement trees would be planted. The Manager also stated that he would ensure that no building work would commence on Sunday mornings prior to 10am.
ii / A Boards - (First raised 20 August 2007)
Letter sent to East Herts Council, Environmental Health, 22 August 2007. Response awaited
iii / Sponsorship of Litter Bins – (First raised 20 August 2007)
It was noted that Town Centre Manager was currently assessing the level of interest in a scheme
iv. / Footpath 53 – HockerillSchool
Members noted the attached response from Helen Denton (Definitive Map Officer) dated 23 August 2007

240.ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

Street Naming and Numbering. (Cllr Barfoot) Members requested sight of the list of suggested names which was held in the office.

241.URGENT BUSINESS

The Boar’s Head, Windhill

Cllr Barfoot expressed his concern regarding two windows which had been replaced at the Boar’s Head which it was felt were not in keeping with the listed building.

Cllr Barfoot was also concerned at the erection of the ‘Sky Sports’ advertising banner which he felt detracted from the listed building. Members requested that Mr Mike Welburn, the Conservation Officer at East Herts Council be asked to investigate the matter.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.30pm

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