To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors PGH Cutter, RC Hunt and WJ Walling.

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

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.23 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillors PM Morgan, KG Grumbley and AT Oliver attended the meeting as substitute members for Councillors PGH Cutter, RC Hunt and WJ Walling.

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

7. DMS/103136/O - LIVESTOCK MARKET AND ADJACENT LAND, EDGAR STREET, HEREFORD, HR4 9HX.

Councillor JD Woodward, Personal, Was a member of the It's Our City campaign.

7. DMS/103136/O - LIVESTOCK MARKET AND ADJACENT LAND, EDGAR STREET, HEREFORD, HR4 9HX.

Councillor MAF Hubbard, Prejudicial, Wrote a letter of objection to the planning department regarding the application.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2011.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman introduced all of the Officers who were present at the meeting.

The Chairman also took the opportunity to advise all parties present that the final decision in respect of agenda item 6 would be that of the Committee and that the decision would not be delegated to Officers.

To be noted.

The Planning Committee noted the report.

Redevelopment of site including demolition works to provide mixed usescheme comprising retail, financial & professional services, food, drink & leisure (Use classes A1, A2, A3, A4 & D2), new public realm, landscaping, car parking, servicing & general highway works, including new access arrangements on Newmarket Street &  Blackfriars Street.

The Assistant Director – Environment, Planning and Waste advised the Committee that they were required to determine the application in accordance with the Unitary Development Plan, whilst having regard to any material planning reasons which may give them reason to deviate from the policy. He drew Members' attention to two primary areas for consideration, the first being the layout and street pattern of the proposed development. He confirmed that in his opinion the layout was well thought out and resulted in an extension to the historic layout of the city. The second area he raised was in respect of the linkage between the proposed development and High Town. He advised Members that the layout had been designed to consolidate and promote the vitality and viability of the city centre. It was also noted that Widemarsh Street had been refurbished with a view to it's linkage with the proposed development. The Assistant Director advised Members that it was their duty to give significant weight to these factors whilst determining the application.

The Strategic Delivery Manager addressed the Committee and advised Members that the application was in accordance with both local and national planning policies. He made specific reference to national planning policy PPS4; the Council's own Unitary Development Plan; the ESG Supplementary Planning Document; the ESG Masterplan and the role of Hereford as a sub-regional centre in the terms of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided; the schedule of committee updates is appended to these minutes.

During the presentation the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the Highways Agency had withdrawn their holding direction subject to suitable conditions. As a result of this he confirmed that the recommendation was now for approval without the requirement for the decision to be delegated to Officers. He also advised Members that the application could not be conditioned subject to the completion of the link road as this was a separate application which the developer had no control over. He expanded on this point by advising Members that there were two key tests to be applied in relation to the link road. The first was whether adequate highways capacity existed to accommodate the development without the link road and the second was the acceptable integration and connectivity of the development with the city centre. He confirmed that in his opinion these two tests had been met. In summing up the Principal Planning Officer advised Members that there were a number of additional key considerations, including the need for further retail and leisure facilities; the design parameters; the environmental impacts; sustainability; job creation; and policy considerations.

In accordance with paragraph 5.14.6.3 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor MAF Hubbard, a Central ward member who had declared a prejudicial interest in respect of the application, addressed the Committee before leaving the Council Chamber for the duration of the item. He commented on a number of issues,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133.

Date of next provisional site inspection - 5 April 2011

Date of next meeting - 6 April 2011

The Planning Committee noted the date of the next meeting.