The Stevenage Borough Council Planning and Development Committee met on 9 September 2025 and approved plans for a new sports and leisure centre and the construction of industrial buildings on the former Kodak site. The committee also noted reports on delegated decisions and appeals.

Planning Application for Former Kodak Site, Bessemer Drive

The committee considered an application for the erection of one detached industrial building and two semi-detached industrial buildings with ancillary offices at the former Kodak site on Bessemer Drive. The proposed buildings would have flexible use classes, including Eg(iii)¹ and B8² uses, as well as B2³ uses for the semi-detached buildings. The development would also include car and cycle parking, landscaping, and service yards.

The committee was advised of an addendum to the officer's report, which included revised wording for Condition 13 regarding noise levels and additional information regarding highway contributions. The final figure and requirements for the Strand 2 highway contribution⁴ will be subject to agreement by the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulation and the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee following negotiations.

The committee voted to grant planning permission, subject to a Unilateral Undertaking to secure contributions towards a Section 278 agreement⁵, a £6,000 travel plan evaluation and support fee, local employment and apprenticeships, and a monitoring fee. The details were delegated to the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulation in consultation with the council's solicitor, along with recommendations from the Lead Local Flood Authority and suitable safeguarding conditions.

Planning Application for Stevenage Swimming Centre, St Georges Way

The committee reviewed an application for the demolition of the existing Stevenage Swimming Centre and the erection of a new sports and leisure centre with associated parking, landscaping, and access.

An addendum to the officer's report included revised and new landscaping plans and clarified that while the development would strive to meet BREEAM excellent criteria, it would not pursue BREEAM accreditation⁶. The addendum also addressed concerns from the Ecology Officer at Hertfordshire County Council regarding biodiversity net gain (BNG)⁷, stating that the requirements could be adequately covered by the BNG conditions, subject to slight revision of wording. Final details are to be agreed with the Assistant Director for Planning and Regulation and the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee.

The addendum noted that officers and the applicant's consultants were working to resolve issues raised by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) regarding flooding and drainage. No decision will be issued until the objection has been withdrawn, and any conditions imposed shall be agreed with the Assistant Director for Planning and Regulation and the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee.

Delegated Decisions

The committee noted a report on decisions taken by the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulation under delegated authority. The report included decisions on a range of applications, including:

• Discharge of condition for drainage strategy at 224-230 Bedwell Crescent
• Change of use of a building at The Gatehouse, Rectory Lane
• First floor front and side extension at 29 Whitney Drive
• Retention of outbuilding at 2 Morley Cottages, Chells Lane
• Discharge of condition for Lead Local Flood Authority at 224-230 Bedwell Crescent
• Discharge of conditions at 33 Julians Road
• Change of use from public amenity land to private residential land at 16 Badgers Close
• Installation of EV chargers at Stevenage Service Station, Lonsdale Road
• Single storey front and rear extension at 437 Vardon Road
• Discharge of condition for tree protection measures at Brent Court, Silam Road
• Outline permission refused for a bungalow on land beside 40 Shephall View
• Garage extension refused at 22 Grenville Way
• Single story rear extension and front porch extension approved at 9 Marymead Court
• Retention of non-illuminated fascia sign approved at Bond International, Cartwright Road
• Two storey side extension refused at 37 Kings Walden Rise
• Single storey front and rear extension approved at 116 Broad Oak Way
• Installation of rooftop solar PV approved at Unit 1, Roebuck Retail Park, London Road
• Retrospective installation of signage approved at Unit 3A, Roaring Meg Retail Park, London Road
• First floor side and rear extension approved at 6 The Pastures
• Carport approved at 2D Hillcrest
• Change of use approved at 46 Basils Road
• Tree works approved at 7 Olde Swann Court
• Tree works approved at Land To Rear Of 2 Essex Close
• Tree works approved at Land Adjacent To 31 Essex Road
• Tree works approved at Land Near 7 Campion Court
• Signage approved at Specsavers Opticians, 90 Queensway Town Centre
• Signage approved at 66 - 68 Queensway Town Centre
• Tree works approved at The Oaks, 106 Burydale
• Roof extension approved at 363 Wisden Road
• Modular outbuilding approved at The Priory Nursery, St John's Ambulance Hall, Stanmore Road
• Change of use approved at 33 Newton Road
• Non material amendment approved at MBDA UK, Six Hills Way
• Non material amendment approved at 224-230 Bedwell Crescent
• Non material amendment approved at 31A Queensway Town Centre
• Rear extension approved at 22 Chertsey Rise
• Garage conversion approved at 66 Chepstow Close
• Rear extension approved at 151 Raleigh Crescent

Appeals

The committee noted a report on appeals, which stated that there were no new appeals received. The report also noted that decisions were awaited on appeals relating to land adjacent to 175 Vardon Road and 7 Boxfield Green.