Proposed erection of two dwellings with garages.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed erection of two dwellings with garages.)

The Acting Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Ms C Sincock, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application.  Mr B Thomas, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor PM Morgan, spoke on the application.

She commented on a number of issues including:

·         The Parish Council supported the application.  The development was a small development in line with the Bishop’s Frome Neighbourhood Plan.

·         She acknowledged the concerns expressed that the development could set a precedent and lead to further applications for backfill and garden developments which would begin to have an adverse effect.   However, the particular application had a relatively minor impact and privacy of neighbours was protected.

·         She noted that the road was subject to flooding and urged that the conditions relating to drainage ensured an enhancement of the present situation. 

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·         The impact on the Grade ll listed Broadfield Court was discussed.  The Acting Principal Planning Officer confirmed that Broadfield Court was approximately 100 metres away and separated in part from the proposed development by another small residential development.

·         The Parish Council supported the development which was consistent with the draft Neighbourhood Plan.

·         Concern was expressed about the impact of garden developments on the character and setting of settlements and the loss of open green space within settlements. It was suggested that the Committee needed to bear this in mind when considering such applications.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  She reiterated her request for enhancement of the drainage in the location and requested that landscaping also provided enhancement, ensuring privacy and preserving the character of the area.

The Development Manager commented that the development created no additional harm to the setting and represented the organic growth that the Committee had indicated it favoured.  The protection of open space within settlements was an important consideration. Progressing the Neighbourhood Plan to Regulation 16 stage, at which point material weight could be given to the Plan, would be an important means of securing such protection.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.       C01 – Planning permission                                                                 

2.       C06 – Development in accordance with approved plans

3.       C13 – Samples of external materials

4.       Foul water and surface water discharges shall be drained separately from the site.

          Reason: To protect the integrity of the public sewerage system and to comply with Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan policies DR2, DR4, DR7 and CF1.

5.       No surface water shall be allowed to connect, either directly or indirectly, to the public sewerage system unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

          Reason: To prevent hydraulic overloading of the public sewerage system, to protect the health and safety of existing residents and ensure no detriment to the environment and to comply with Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan policies DR2, DR4, DR7 and CF1.

6.       Land drainage run-off shall not be permitted to discharge, either directly or indirectly, into the public sewerage system.

          Reason: To prevent hydraulic overload of the public sewerage system and pollution of the environment and to comply with Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan policies DR2, DR4, DR7 and CF1.

7.       C65 – Removal of Permitted Development Rights

8.       C67 – No new windows

9.       The recommendations of Swift Ecology’s Preliminary Ecological Report dated October 2014 and supplementary Great Crested Newt appraisal dated February 2015 should be followed. Prior to commencement of the development, a precautionary species mitigation and habitat enhancement scheme should be submitted to and be approved in writing by the local planning authority, and the scheme shall be implemented as approved.

          Reasons: To ensure that all species are protected having regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, the NERC Act 2006 and Policies NC1, NC6, NC7, NC8 and NC9 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

10.     C95 – Details of Boundary treatments

11.     C96 – Landscaping scheme

12.     C97 – Landscaping scheme implementation

13.     CAC – Visibility over frontage

14.     CAL – Access, turning area and parking

15.     CAZ – Parking for site operatives

16.     CBO – Scheme of surface water drainage

17.     CBP – Scheme of surface water regulation

INFORMATIVES:

1.       The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations, including any representations that have been received. It has subsequently determined to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework. 

2.       N11A

3.       N11C