Apologies were received from Councillors CR Butler, JA Hyde, TM James and D Summers.

To receive details of any Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor BA Durkin substituted for Councillor CR Butler, Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes for Councillor D Summers and Councillor GJ Powell for Councillor JA Hyde.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2017.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were none.

Change of use to high quality public open space and a landmark public art feature. Application for a skylon tower, a 46m high, vertical, corten steel landmark feature located within the heart of skylon park Hereford Enterprise Zone.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, with additional conditions.

(Change of use to high quality public open space and a landmark public art feature. application for a skylon tower, a 46m high, vertical, corten steel landmark feature located within the heart of Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr N Kerr, Vice-Chair of the Enterprise Zone Executive Board, spoke in support of the application.

The local ward member was unable to attend the meeting.  In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes, spoke on the application on his behalf.

She commented that the proposal reflected Hereford’s manufacturing heritage as a centre for engineering.  The landscaping providing public open space was welcome.  The construction itself was contemporary, attractive, and an iconic piece of public art. She supported the application.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·        The structure would be a landmark of which the County could be proud.  It was at a strategic junction.  The scale was proportionate. It would have a limited visual impact on the landscape.

·        Maintenance of the public open space and water feature would be important.

·        It was to be hoped that local craftsmen would be involved in the design and construction.

·        It was asked whether there was scope to use the structure for visual displays and other purposes.  The Lead Development Manager commented that this would be a matter for the applicant to discuss with the authority.  Any proposal would need to be considered on its merits.

·        In response to further questions about lighting of the structure the Principal Planning Officer commented that consideration would need to be given amongst other things to a potential conflict with nature conservation interests.  An additional condition could govern such matters.  Members supported this addition.

The Lead Development Manager commented that the Committee had properly assessed the impact on nearby heritage assets.

Councillor Lloyd-Hayes was given the opportunity to close the debate on behalf of the local ward member and reiterated her support for the application.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         C01 - Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         C06 - Development in accordance with the approved plans

3.         C13 - Samples of external materials

4.         C96 - Landscaping scheme

5.         C97 - Landscaping scheme - implementation

6.         Construction Method Statement

7.         The recommendations set out in the ecologist’s reports from Midland Ecology dated November 2016 and March 2017 should be followed unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.  Prior  to commencement of the development, a species mitigation schedule and habitat enhancement scheme should be submitted to, and be approved in writing by, the local planning authority, and the scheme shall be implemented as approved.

            Reasons:  To ensure that all species are protected having regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (with amendments and as supplemented by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000), the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

Demolition of the former office buildings and the redevelopment of the site to provide a 70 bed care home (use class c2).

Officers were authorised to grant planning permission in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, with additional conditions.

(Demolition of the former office buildings and the redevelopment of the site to provide a 70 bed care home (use class c2).)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr S Kerry, Clerk to Hereford City Council spoke expressing some opposition to the Scheme.  Mr I Holme, the applicant’s architect, spoke in support of the application.

The local ward member had indicated that they would not attend the meeting.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·        Several Members expressed disappointment that the proposal involved the demolition of Brockington House and questioned whether this was necessary.  The possibility of retaining at least the façade of the building was also raised.  It was, however, also acknowledged that a purpose built building had its advantages.

·        It was suggested that the existing building had been degraded as an asset.   It was set back from the road and, given the nature of the extensions to it the impact on the conservation area of the new development would if anything be a marginal benefit.

·        A concern was expressed that the local health care provider had not been consulted on the proposal.  In reply the Lead Development Manager drew attention to paragraph 4.5 of the report which stated that the proposal would be welcomed by the Council, and by Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.  Several members commented on the benefit the scheme would provide.

·        Concern was also expressed as to whether the proposed parking provision would be sufficient taking account the number of both staff and residents.  There was a wish to avoid on-street parking.  The Lead Development Manager commented that under the council’s adopted standards the approved level of parking for such a proposal would normally be 17-18 spaces.  The proposal currently provided for 31 spaces and a further 3 spaces could be accommodated within the existing design.  Members supported this additional provision being secured.

·        The comments of the Conservation Manager (Trees) on the protection of trees on the site were welcomed.  The Principal Planning Officer commented that the protection of trees on the site had formed an important part of the discussions about the design of the proposal and condition 6 addressed this point.

·        In response to a question the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that it would be possible to include provision within the conditions for the reuse of materials from the house where this was considered appropriate.  Members supported such a condition.

RESOLVED:  That officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to officers be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report and an amendment to condition number 5 relating to parking provision and the reuse of materials from Brockington House where appropriate:

1.         A01 - Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         C08 - Amended plans

3.         C13 - Samples  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

Proposed conversion of existing barn to two dwellings and erection of 5 dwellings.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda prior to the meeting.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda prior to the meeting at the agent’s request following consultation by officers with the Chairman.

Date of next site inspection – 25 April 2017

Date of next meeting – 26 April 2017