Food waste truck canopy at Cranborne Waste Depot Cranborne Industrial Estate, Potters Bar
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Hertsmere Planning Committee on 15 Jan 2026.
What was proposed
The application proposed a 31.2-metre-long, 7-metre-wide, 3-metre-high freestanding canopy to store food waste collection vehicles.
“DEVELOPMENT Erection of a freestanding canopy for the storage of food waste trucks.”
“The application seeks planning permission for the installation of a freestanding canopy structure measuring 31.2m x 7m x 3m in height for the storage of HBC food waste collection vehicles at Cranborne Waste Depot.”
Officer report
The site and its surroundings
The site is a waste recycling depot within an industrial estate, surrounded by industrial uses, with agricultural fields beyond and trees along its northern boundary.
“The site comprises an irregularly shaped plot used as a waste recycling depot, located at the western end of Cranborne Road Industrial Estate. The surrounding area is characterised by industrial warehousing and manufacturing units, with some ancillary office accommodation.”
“The site is bounded by Hertfordshire County Council Recycling Centre to the north, Hertsmere Waste Depot to the south, and beyond the site to the rear (to the northwest) lie open agricultural fields. There are some tree which run along the northern boundary of the site, close to the location of the proposal.”
Officer report
Earlier planning history
Earlier permissions covered recycling bays, an office extension, a civil engineering depot, containers, and refuse vehicle storage and maintenance.
“Reference number Description Date and outcome 13/2361/FUL Erection of recycling bays, removal of palisade fencing and additional flood lighting. January 2014 Grant Permission 14/1119/DOC Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 2, 4, 7 and 8 of planning permission reference 13/2361/FUL 15 October 2014 Application Withdrawn…”
“Reference number Description Date and outcome 18/0194/FUL Construction of first floor extension to existing office building for use as a training facility and civil emergency centre. May 2018 Grant Permission TP/84/5538 CHANGE OF USE TO CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPOT ERECTION OF WORKSHOP BUILDING_ 2.4M BOUNDARY FENCE_ PARKING AND LOADING BAYS. July 1984 Approval TP/07/1892 Partly retrospective application for siting of 4 no.”
Officer report
Consultation and public response
Waste Management Services had no comments, Environmental Health raised no objection, and no letters or public representations were received.
“Summary of consultation responses Consulted: Consultee Date Consulted Waste Management Services 15 October 2025 Environmental Health & Licensing 15 October 2025 HCC Minerals And Waste Planning Team 15 October 2025 Potters Bar Society 15 October 2025 Highways 22 December 2025”
“Responses: Consultee Comment Waste Management Services No comments. Environmental Health & Licensing No objection.”
Officer report
Members considered the proposal
Officers confirmed that no residential properties would be affected, other vehicles would not be impacted, and the freestanding canopy would be permanent.
“In response to member questions, Officers confirmed that the canopy would be located within an industrial site in agricultural land so no residential properties would be affected. There would be no impact to any waste or other vehicles as the application proposed was for the canopy alone. The canopy would be a freestanding structure and therefore permanent.”
Minutes
The committee vote
Councillor C Gray proposed approval, Councillor M Amron seconded it, and all 12 votes were in favour with none against or abstaining.
“It was proposed by: Councillor C Gray, seconded by Councillor M Amron that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed.”
“For: (12 total) - Councillors G Briski, N Susman, P Richards, H Green, M Allen, C Gray, M Amron, M Handley, D Lambert, C Clapper, P Kaza and L Smith Against: (0 total) – No votes Abstain: (0 total) - No votes Total votes cast: 12”
Minutes
The decision
Permission was granted subject to conditions, following members’ support for the officer recommendation.
“RESOLVED that permission be GRANTED subject to conditions. 506.2”
Minutes
Conditions attached
The permission requires the development to begin within three years and to follow the approved plans and drawings.
“The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission.”
“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved plans and drawings listed in this decision notice, other than where those details are altered pursuant to the conditions of this planning permission:”
Officer report
Sources
- Hertsmere Planning Committee minutes, 15 January 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Hertsmere's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Hertsmere Planning Committee
- Council
- Hertsmere
- Date
- Thursday 15 January 2026
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Hertsmere committee decisions →
This committee's year
26 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.