Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bob Davis and Sue Livings. Councillor Jodi Dunne was in attendance as a substitute for Councillor Bob Davis.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

At the discretion of the Chair, the following procedure will apply to the consideration of planning items:-

*           Planning Officer presents reports.

*           Comments invited from members of the public who have registered with the Governance Support Section (01279 446057) at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or have submitted a statement of up to 450 words by 9am the day before the meeting, as follows:

-           3 (maximum) against an application.      

                        -           3 (maximum) for an application.

                        -           each speaker is limited to 3 minutes (maximum).

*           Comments invited from the applicant/agent for a maximum of 3 minutes (who has also given at least 24 hours notice to the Governance Support Section) of their wish to speak or have submitted a written statement of up to 450 words by 9am the day before the meeting.

*           Councillors’ questions and clarifications.

*           Officers respond to the technical planning questions raised as directed by the Chair.

*           Councillors debate and make a decision.

All statements should be sent via email to hannah.criddle@harlow.gov.uk

or sent via post to:

Governance Support

Harlow Council

Civic Centre

The Water Gardens

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1WG

RESOVLED that the procedure for the meeting is noted.

The Committee received an update report on the Gilston Area development.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the update report.

The Committee also received a report which recommended a Harlow District Council consultee response to the East Hertfordshire District Council Application (3/19/1045/OUT).

A representation was made by the Applicant.

RESOLVED that the Committee APPROVED the following consultation response:

A     The Council is supportive of development of the Gilston Area as it contributes greatly to achieving important growth aims for Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT).

B     However, the Council’s support for any particular application is dependent on confidence that a planning permission will achieve development that accords with both the Development Plan as a whole, (in this case, particularly the East Herts District Plan Policy GA1) and the HGGT Vision.

C     The Council supports the application amendments on design of the site accesses and the commitments to internal circulation principles.  The changes should provide essential dedicated space and prioritisation for public and active transport to help achieve the mode share targets, together with traffic signal controls that can manage traffic flows from the development onto the road network. This provides the opportunity for the village development itself to accord very well with the HGGT vision for transport. The Council will continue to work with EHDC and the applicant on appropriate conditions and obligations to secure these aspects of the scheme.

D     Generally, the Council considers that agreement of appropriate planning obligations for the development is fundamental to securing development quality and mitigating its impacts in a manner compliant with policies and guidance and with due regard to other material considerations.

E     The Council cannot support the application on the basis of the planning obligations presently set out, or suggested in general terms by the applicant as adequate.  The Council considers the obligations proposed would fall considerably short of the commitments required to address Development Plan policies and supporting HGGT guidance and evidence.

F     In particular the Council identifies the following concerns:

                             i)        There are still many uncertainties on how far the applicant is prepared to commit to HGGT principles

                            ii)        On essential sustainable transport matters commitments to adequate funding for, and timely delivery of, the Stort Valley Crossings and proportional contributions to the funding of the Sustainable Transport Corridor network are still not confirmed

                           iii)        Due to the lack of clarity on planning obligations it is unclear how the application will support effective use of the Housing Investment Grant (HIG) funding which the Councils have been awarded to help ‘unlock’ the delivery of the Gilston Area development.  This is particularly the case in respect of the lack of commitment to the provision of adequate repayment of ‘grant’ into the Rolling Infrastructure Fund (RIF) that will support the provision of the wider Sustainable Transport Corridor (STC) infrastructure that is essential to support sustainable growth 

                           iv)        Other important HGGT matters are unresolved; the details of affordable housing for Harlow residents to support social mobility; provision of adequate employment land and premises to support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.