Four detached dwellings at Alpenrose, Bedlar's Green, Bishop's Stortford

The site

The 0.23-hectare residential plot lies within the settlement boundary, with fields to the east, homes around it and an existing access and public right of way.

“This application relates Alpenrose and spans 0.23 (ha) in size and is situated to the east of Bedlar’s Green, Great Hallingbury. The site is located within the settlement boundary and comprises a relatively large residential plot, in which a single storey 5no. bed house, with adjoining but separate garage, sits. The existing property has a footprint of 156m2, with the adjoining garage having a footprint of 25m2.”

“The site is bounded by agricultural fields to the east and residential properties to the north, south and west. The site’s boundaries include established trees, hedges and other vegetation to the east and south and a fence to the west. The site has an open frontage to the north.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and ecology raised no objection subject to conditions, while airport safeguarding also accepted the proposal with controls.

“No objection subject to securing biodiversity mitigation and enhancement measures, including mandatory biodiversity net gains. Place Services (Ecology) consultee response can be found in Appendix 2 of this report.”

“No objection subject to conditions managing lighting, wildlife, materials and construction management. MAG Aerodrome Safeguarding consultee response can be found in Appendix 3 of this report.”

Officer report

Objections and comments

The parish council and one neighbour objected over access, overdevelopment, vehicles, privacy, parking, ecology and infrastructure; one neutral comment concerned the location plan.

“The Great Hallingbury Parish Council object to this planning application for the following reasons: • There will be too many houses for the plot causing an unacceptable increase in vehicles which would damage the green. • No access to a public highway - This access from the site was allowed as an ‘easement’ across National Trust land onto Beggars Hall Lane, which is a private road (also a footpath).”

“There is one neutral letter for this application. The following comments were received: - The Location Plan should be amended to include the proposed visibility splays, annotated on the Block Plan, within the red line application boundary…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor G Driscoll spoke against the application, and the applicant spoke in support.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the limited scope for changes, access as a reserved matter, the financial arrangements and the construction management plan.

“In response to questions from Members, officers: • Said that correct certification had been given by the applicant and that notices had been served on the appropriate people. • Said that access arrangements was not a material planning consideration as it was an outline application with access as a reserved matter.”

“Members discussed: • There being very little wriggle room available on this application. • Access arrangements not being a material planning consideration. • Satisfactory financial arrangements had been secured. • Adequate Construction Management Plan arrangements being put in place as per Condition 11.”

Minutes

The committee’s vote

Councillor Haynes proposed approval and Councillor Pavitt seconded the proposal.

“Councillor Haynes proposed approval of the application, and this proposal was seconded by Councillor Pavitt.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee authorised permission, subject to a satisfactory legal agreement securing the Hatfield Forest contribution and the report’s conditions.

“He said that identical objections to previous had been raised following publication of the Addendum List earlier in the week and he addressed them in his presentation. He outlined the history of previous applications and said that the previous appeal had only been dismissed because a financial contribution towards the Hatfield Forest Mitigation Strategy had not been secured during the decision-making.”

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to Grant permission for the development subject to completion of a satisfactory legal agreement to secure the financial contribution towards the Hatfield Forest Mitigation Strategy and to those items set out in section 17 of the report.”

Minutes