Leisure Centre decision deferred

A decision on proposals to redevelop Hartham Leisure Centre was deferred at last night's meeting of the District Council's Development Control committee meeting.

Councillors on the committee expressed deep misgivings about the design of the new leisure centre, reflecting comments made my members of the public and local organisations during the public consultation on the plans.

Hertford Town Council also objected to the proposals.

Buntingford councillor Jeff Jones was particularly scathing, describing the design as "awful".

In a report to the committee, planning officer Jill Shingler had recommended that the plans be approved, claiming that the benefits outweighed the "less than substantial harm to this part of the Conservation Area". 

Other committee members criticising the design and sustainability of the proposals included Peter Ruffles, Ben Crystal, Carolyn Redfern, Tim Page, Terence Becket and Ian Kemp. However, all committee members supported the principle of redevelopment.Cllr. David Andrews (Thundridge & Standon) proposed that a decision on the application be deferred because the proposed design "does not meet sustainability challenges" and that there are "clearly concerns about landscaping and visual impact".

Committee chairman Bob Deering commented that deferment was not enouraged when determining planning applications but in the light of the views expressed it would be a sensible way forward.

Deferment gives the applicant an opportunity to revise their plans and bring forward amended proposals that address the committee's concerns.