Four industrial units at Buntingford Business Park, Buntingford

What was proposed

The application proposed one building containing four industrial units, with parking, vehicle turning space, landscaping and related works.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of an industrial building, which would contain 4 x industrial units. It is proposed for these industrial units to be used for either use classes: E[g] (office/light industrial), B2 (general industrial) or B8 (storage or distribution). The scheme would also include the provision of parking areas and various landscaping works.”

“The vehicular access to the building would be directly off the existing access road that serves the business park. To the south of the new building a parking area, together with turning space for vehicles, would be created. This parking area would contain 41 parking spaces. A small substation building would be erected in the south- western corner of this parking area.”

Officer report

The site

The site was undeveloped grassland and vegetation within Buntingford Business Park, outside the town boundary and in the rural area beyond the Green Belt.

“The application site is a parcel of undeveloped grassland and vegetation to the south-eastern side of Buntingford Business Park. Part of the existing access road into the business park is also within the site boundary. The full application site measures approximately 0.54 hectares in area.”

“The site is located west of Buntingford and is outside the settlement boundary of the town. The position of the site beyond the settlement boundary means that the land is part of the Rural Area Beyond the Green Belt. The business park is separated from Buntingford by the A10 and the site is directly to the west of this main road. The site is also to the north of the A507 main road.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The site had an earlier permission for an industrial building, but it was not implemented and expired in 2010.

“3/04/1416/FP (Phase 2): Through this application, full planning permission was granted for the existing industrial building on the eastern side of the business park. It is understood that this building is currently occupied by an electrical installation company. The applicant refers to this building as Phase 2 of the business park.”

“3/04/2405/FP (Phase 3): Full planning permission was granted through this application for an industrial building on the current application site. This was proposed to be Phase 3 of the business park. However, this planning permission was not implemented and expired in 2010. No further planning applications have come forward at Buntingford Business Park for new industrial or commercial buildings, since the expiry of the Phase 3 planning permission in 2010.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, ecology, drainage, conservation, environmental health, landscape and planning consultees raised no objection, subject to conditions in some cases.

“HCC Ecology: No objection, subject to conditions regarding a Construction Environmental Management Plan and the mandatory Biodiversity Gain Plan.”

“HCC Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA): No objection, subject to conditions regarding details of the surface water drainage network, a SUDs maintenance/management scheme and temporary construction drainage measures.”

Officer report

What residents said

One local resident made a neutral response raising parking, noise, trees and wildlife concerns; the town council had no objection.

“Buntingford Town Council has no objection.”

“Across one round of public consultation, 1 response has been received from a local resident. This comment is neutral on the application. The following matters have been raised in this comment: • Sufficient parking on-site should be provided. • Potential noise generation should be considered. • Trees and wildlife must be protected.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An individual speaking in support addressed the committee and answered questions.

What members debated

Members discussed sustainable transport, the A10 crossing, cycling, parking, fire service funding, electric vehicle charging and water pressure.

“Members expressed concerns regarding the site's accessibility by sustainable modes of transport, particularly cycling. They commented on the principle of the development and noted the difficulties associated with crossing the A10 and the lack of a direct cycling connections from Buntingford despite proposed cycle infrastructure improvements elsewhere in the town.”

“The Committee raised concerns regarding the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, noting that only five charging spaces were proposed. Members requested assurance that the development would be capable of accommodating additional charging points in future.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillors proposed and seconded approval with an amended electric vehicle charging condition, and the motion was carried.

“Councillor Devonshire proposed, and Councillor Buckmaster seconded, a motion that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions detailed in the officer's report and subject to the following amended condition:”

“Amendment to condition 17 relating to future provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted permission subject to the report conditions and an amendment requiring future provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

“RESOLVED – that application 3/25/1986/FUL be granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report, and subject to the following amended condition:”

Minutes