Planning - 2 March 2009

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held on Monday 2 March 2009 in the COMMITTEE, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL
at 7.00 p.m.
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Present: Dr Graham Fothergill (Chairman), Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Ms Elisabeth Smith, Mr Robin Smith and the Clerk

Apologies: Mr Richard Haigh due to work commitments.
Mr John Bantick and Mr John Hunt due to prior commitments.

1. Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest.

2. Minutes

It was proposed by Ms Smith, seconded by Mr Smith and

RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee, held on 9 February 2009 be approved and signed.”

3. 00/03032/1HH The 7th Hole, 7 Gun Meadow Avenue, Knebworth

Roof alteration incorporating enlarged flat roof dormer window to side elevation and change from hipped to gable end roof to rear elevation to facilitate loft conversion. Balcony and balustrade to roof of existing single storey flat roof rear extension

The committee considered that the flat roof dormer to be too large and the application to be out of keeping with the street scene. It therefore OBJECTS.

4. 09/00006/1 Knebworth Golf Club Deards End Lane, Knebworth

Single storey front extension behind existing screen wall to provide disabled toilet store

NO OBJECTIONS


5. 09/00007/1LB Knebworth Golf Club, Deards End Lane, Knebworth

Single storey front extension behind existing screen wall to provide disabled toilet store. Infill of existing window

NO OBJECTIONS

6. 08/02829/1 146 Park Lane, Knebworth

Five bedroom detached house with integral garage following demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings

NO OBJECTIONS


2008/09 80

7. Planning Policy

NHDC Development Policies: Preferred Options includes policies relating to retail units in rural areas and are relevant to Knebworth. Extracts from policy 28 and 29 identify how the loss of A1 units will be viewed once the policies are adopted.

Policy 28
In the local centres we support the provision of shopping and service
facilities for local people.
We will only permit the loss of a shop (A1) unit in a local centre where:
1) it would not lead to an over concentration of non-shop (non-A1)
uses; and
2) the proposed use would add to the vitality and viability of the centre;
and
3) it would not seriously diminish the provision of local shopping
facilities, and
4) the proposed use meets a key community need.
Where the unit is vacant, and the proposal does not comply with criteria
1) – 4) we will only permit the loss if it can be demonstrated that the unit
has remained vacant for a year or more, and documentary evidence has
been provided that all reasonable attempts to sell or let the premises for
similar uses in that period have failed.
We will only grant development proposals for a change of use from
A2/3/4/5, D1 or D2 at ground floor level, to another use not listed above,
in exceptional circumstances, and where it can be demonstrated that
the proposal meets a particular local community need.

Policy 29 Proposed policy wording
We will not permit development proposals which result in the loss of an
individual shop, service or facility, outside the town and local centres
unless:
1) There is another shop, service or facility of a similar use available for
customers within a convenient walking distance; and
2) the proposed new use would complement the function and character
of the area.
In the absence of such an alternative facility, we will only permit the loss
if it can be demonstrated that the unit has remained vacant for a year or
more and documentary evidence has been provided that all reasonable
attempts to sell or let the premises for similar uses in that period have failed.

The committee approved the policies.

8. Any Other Business

8.1 Old Knebworth Lane
Mrs Pateman complained that the lane is overgrown and full of litter. The clerk is to inform HCC Rights of Way and Herts. Highways.

8.2 Footpath, Oakfields Road
Mrs Pateman informed the committee that people are cutting across the field from the recreation ground to the bridleway from Oakfields Avenue to Bragbury End. The clerk is to inform Mr Wallace of the practice.


2008/09 81

8.3 Hedges Hornbeam Spring
The hedges are overgrowing the footpath at 42 and 44 Hornbeam Spring. The clerk is to inform Herts. Highways.

8.4 Telephone Box, Stockens Green
The telephone box has now been removed from Stockens Green.


8.5 Opening times of Station Booking Office
There are plans to further reduce the opening times of the ticket office Monday to Friday 07.00 -11.00 am. The committee wished to raise an objection to the reduced hours. The clerk is to contact the Knebworth and Stevenage Rail users group to add its support to their campaign.

8.6 Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 6 April 2009

There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.35pm.