Issue - meetings

Retrospective: installation of parcel locker facility at 57 - 59 High Street, Abbots Langley.

Recommendation: that subject to no new material planning considerations being raised during the open consultation period, retrospective planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions.

The application was retrospective for installation of a parcel locker facility at 57 - 59 High Street, Abbots Langley.

The Planning Officer reported that since publication of the agenda a further comment of objection had been received, making a total of three objections. 

Councillor Vicky Edwards spoke on the application and then left the meeting room.

Councillors Lloyd, Drury, and Nelmes objected to Councillor Edwards speaking as a ward councillor. The Chair responded, under officer advice, that there was no prohibition or restriction on Councillor Edwards speaking and then recusing herself from discussion of the item, as had been arranged per the Declaration of Interests at PC39/25.

Committee Members asked questions about the detail of the application which were responded to by officers.  The Committee’s discussions included the following:

·         A Committee Member expressed the view that the locker did not preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area, that it was garish in appearance, and that it could have been placed in a better location.  This was supported by several other Committee Members. 

·         A concern was raised in relation to the risk of setting a precedent for the location of other lockers in the Conservation Area.

·         Another Committee Member expressed the view that although not particularly visually attractive, the location of the locker next to a modern building and close to other street furniture was acceptable; that it was not one of the larger examples of such lockers; and that it also represented a source of revenue for the associated small business.

·         Several Committee Members commented on the usefulness of parcel lockers, noting that this was a public benefit.

·         A number of Members expressed the view that the locker’s appearance could be significantly improved by a more muted facing colour.

Councillor Fraser moved, and Councillor Sims seconded, that planning permission be refused for the reason that the siting of the locker, and its appearance, did not preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area.  On being put to the vote this fell, the voting being 3 in favour, 7 against and 0 abstentions.

Councillor Mitchell moved, and Councillor Drury seconded, that the application be deferred for officers to explore alternative facing colours.  On being put to the vote this was carried, the voting being 8 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: that that the application be deferred for officers to explore alternative facing colours.

Councillor Edwards re-joined the meeting.