Address:       Land and buildings at 35-41 High Street, builders office and entrance to Primrose Lane, Arlesey (nearest postcode

SG15 6RA)

Remodelling of the High Street, Primrose Lane, Mill Lane, Station Road junction and creation of a new southern access to land west of the High Street, demolition of existing site buildings and erection of two retail and twenty residential units.

Applicant:     Warden Developments Ltd, Samuel Beadie (Arlesey) Ltd

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/16/05513/FULL for the remodelling of the High Street, Primrose Lane, Mill Lane, Station Road junction and creation of a new southern access to land west of the High Street, demolition of existing site buildings and erection of two retail and twenty residential units at land and buildings at 35-41 High Street, builders office and entrance to Primrose Lane, Arlesey.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to additional consultation/publicity responses, amended/additional conditions and additional informatives as set out in the Late Sheet.  The planning officer also advised that two additional comments had been received from neighbours to the application site after the Late Sheet had been compiled.  The neighbours had objected to the application and expressed concern over highways issues relating to traffic generation and parking provision.  The planning officer stated that all of the issues had been covered within the officer report.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received a representation from an objector to the application under the public participation scheme.

A ward Member commented that the former garage forecourt (to the northern side of the junction) was full of cars as it was used as an informal parking space by local residents after 7.00 p.m.  He also stated that, in his capacity as an Executive Member for Highways, he was constantly asked for parking enforcement in the area to resolve some of the traffic issues.  Whilst the application attempted to meet planning requirements, including those for parking, the extensive use of the forecourt space exceeded the parking provision which would be provided by the proposed three parking spaces.  The ward Member emphasised that he had concerns, as did Arlesey Town Council and others, on the proposed level of parking provision compared to the large number of vehicles already being parked on the site.

The ward Member next drew the Committee’s attention to the Town Council’s concern regarding the demolition of a 1920’s Art Deco building and 19^th century cottages should the development be approved.  He did, however, acknowledge that demolition was necessary.  He also acknowledged an element of conflict given that the previous application for the site had been approved and, technically, the current application met the Council’s design guide requirements for parking spaces.  The ward Member then reminded the meeting that the Town Council had not supported the previous application and it had asked the ward Member to make clear that it did not support the current one.

The ward Member stated that he could see the merits in the provision of the proposed roundabout, which he preferred to traffic lights, and which he felt would actually help with the traffic flow.  He expressed appreciation of the applicant’s decision to change the proposal with regard to this matter.

The ward Member stated that the Town Council had asked him to make the Committee fully aware its concerns regarding the application.  He then commented that whilst it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155