To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Peter Hamblin and Diana Toynbee.

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

There were no named substitutes.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March be approved.

The erection of two dwellings and associated works.

Application refused, contrary to the case officer’s recommendation.

Councillor Elizabeth Foxton left the committee to act as the local ward member for the application below.

The Senior Planning Officer provided a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda, as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Milln spoke on behalf of Hereford City Council and Mr Tompkins, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with the council’s constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, she explained that the application site was located in a densely populated area that experienced significant traffic congestion. The proposed houses would be situated opposite three retail units with a high level of pedestrians and traffic. Accident data showed that there had been three accidents involving cars ion the local area recently. The application was contrary to core policy MT1 due to the impact on highway safety posed by the proposed driveways emerging onto a busy pedestrian and traffic area. Due to the adverse impact posed by the application on the safety of local residents the proposed developments were contrary to core strategy policies SS4, OS1, OS2, OS3 and SC1. The site had been the subject of two previous applications which had been refused and which had been upheld on appeal. The proposed houses on the site represented overcrowding and overdevelopment. The proposed properties would be in very close proximity to each other and existing, neighbouring houses. There was concern that the distance between properties could have an adverse impact upon access for the emergency services. Due to the limited space on the application site cars could not manoeuver safely, impacting adversely upon highway safety, and demonstrating that the site was not big enough for the proposed houses.

The committee debated the application. There was division among members of the committee.

There was support for the officer recommendation of approval among some members of the committee. The proposed development provided two off street parking places and was in a busy urban area; the addition of two households would not pose a significant impact on local infrastructure. The scale and density of development on the site was accepted as it was consistent with the nature of the local area.

There were objections to the application among other members of the committee who considered that:

-        The density of housing on the application site which represented over development of a restricted site. The proposed development was in very close proximity to neighbouring properties which posed an unacceptable impact upon residential. The constrained nature of the application site and the density of development would result in properties being overlooked and an absence of outdoor space which would result in adverse living conditions for residents in the new properties and the existing, neighbouring houses. The proposals was contrary to Policies SD1, LD1 and SS6 of the Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework;

-        Technical problems existed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

Provision of a transport hub and public realm improvements at Hereford Railway Station including the creation of a bus interchange, waiting area, canopy and layover space, provision of passenger drop- off and parking areas, and formation of a new access junction via City Link Road.

Application approved with a change to conditions.

Councillor Dan Powell left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

The Principal Planning Officer provided a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Ms Davis spoke on behalf of Hereford City Council, Mr Frecknall, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Butterworth, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council’s constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, she explained that the principle of a transport hub was supported but the current proposal had a number of shortcomings. The proposed transport hub would not provide a central location for all city buses but only services from the county bus station. The four bays at the hub for buses would not be adequate for the number of services using the transport hub or the National Express coaches. The layby for the Zipper bus service on the City Link road was not a good solution to provide a bus stop for the service. The access to the layover area would be impeded by parking on the junction by the Hereford Medical Group. It was queried how motorists would be prevented from accessing the taxi drop off area. The lack of covered bicycle racks was a concern. There was a concern that the design of the building would form a wind tunnel. It was acknowledged that the proposal was an improvement on the current frontage to the station but it was a missed opportunity to construct a comprehensive transport hub to co-ordinate services across the City.

The committee debated the application. There was division among the members of the committee.

There were objections to the application among some members of the committee who considered that:

-       The design was poor and a redesign was required. The proposals of the civic society should be incorporated into the design;

-       Fours bus bays at the hub were not sufficient;

-       There were highway safety concerns relating to reversing buses;

-       The proposed drop off/pick up point was too far from the railway station.

There was support for the case officer’s recommendations among other members of the committee but clarification was sought on the following issues:

-       A possible change to conditions to ensure that that dedicated drop off/pick spaces were allocated in the NCP car park, as a minimum 11 drop off/pick up places and 11 disabled placed. The car park was often full which would prevent the drop off/pick up arrangements as proposed in the application;

-       A possible change to conditions to include a requirement to plant screening around the perimeter of the layover area to reduce the impact of parked buses on the landscape;

-       The natural desire line for pedestrians from the student accommodation across the taxi rank to the station posed highway safety concerns;

-       The surface treatment and dressing of the local highway network should demonstrate where there was priority for pedestrians and cyclists to counter the predominance of motor vehicles on roads  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Proposed detached affordable dwelling and garage/workshop.

Application approved, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The Development Manager North Team provided a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking a statement was read on behalf of the applicant Mr Godding in support of the application.

In accordance with the council’s constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. He explained that the application was supported by the local parish council and local residents. As the local member he was content also to add support to the application.

The committee debated the application. There was unanimity in support of the case officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

The local ward member had the opportunity to close the debate.

Councillor Bruce Baker proposed and Councillor John Stone seconded the approval of the application in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation. The proposal was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

To adopt the Licensing of Sex Establishments: Statement of Licensing Policy.

Statement of Licensing Policy approved, in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.

The committee considered a report by the Principal Licensing Officer to adopt the statement of licensing policy in respect of the licensing of sex establishments. The report was introduced by the Principal Licensing Officer.

The committee debated the report.

Councillor Polly Andrews proposed and Councillor Bruce Baker seconded the recommendation in the report to adopt the statement of licensing policy as contained in appendix 1. The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That the policy as presented be adopted (appendix 1)

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

3 letters of support have been received with main points raised including:

• County needs bungalow accommodation
• Ideal location for housing
• Present opportunity to have affordable housing in easy walking distance on Hereford

OFFICER COMMENTS

Attention is draw to the conditions of which have been miss-numbered the detail under condition 2 should be a separate condition as:

‘No development shall commence until a drainage scheme for the site has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall provide for the disposal of foul, surface and land water, and include an assessment of the potential to dispose of surface and land water by sustainable means. Thereafter the scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of the development and no further foul water, surface water and land drainage shall be allowed to connect directly or indirectly with the public sewerage system.

Reason: To prevent hydraulic overloading of the public sewerage system, to protect the health and safety of existing residents and ensure no pollution of or detriment to the environment.’

With condition 2 detailed as:

‘Development in accordance with approved plans and materials

The development hereby approved shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved plans (drawing nos. 1415-10 Rev B, 1415-11 & 1415-21) and the schedule of materials indicated thereon.

Reason: To ensure adherence to the approved plans and to protect the general character and amenities of the area in accordance with the requirements of Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.’

It is also noted two additional conditions are recommended:

‘Details of Boundary treatments

No works in relation to any boundary treatments required by this condition shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a plan indicating the position, type, design and materials of any boundary treatment to be erected.  The boundary treatment shall be completed before (the use hereby permitted is commenced) (before the building(s) is/are occupied (in accordance with a timetable to be agreed in writing with the local planning authority).  Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity, to ensure the development has an acceptable standard of privacy and to conform to Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.’

Prior to the first occupation of the dwelling hereby approved an area shall be laid out within the curtilage of each dwelling for the parking and turning of 1 car in accordance with the 2006 Herefordshire Highways Design Guide. This shall be properly consolidated, surfaced and drained in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.