Construction of farm access road (part retrospective).

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

The Development Supervisor gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet. He added that the applicant was happy to reduce the gradient of the access via a condition in order to address the concerns raised at the recent site visit.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Barber, representing Withington Group Parish Council, and Dr Scotcher, a neighbouring resident, spoke in objection to the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor DW Greenow, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

·         The concerns of the neighbouring residents and the Parish Council should be considered when Members make a decision in respect of the application.

Members discussed the application and noted that the applicant had agreed to reduce the gradient of the proposed track in response to concerns raised. They felt that this would address the issue of headlights shining into the windows of the property opposite the exit of the track. Members also raised the issue of landscaping and felt that an appropriate landscaping condition should be added to the recommendation.

Members noted that if the application had been submitted through the prior approval route, the application would have been granted.

In response to a question in respect of the bridleway, the Development Supervisor confirmed that the proposed track would not form part of the existing bridleway. In response to further questions he also advised that Hop Barn did not form part of the application and was not a material planning consideration. Finally he confirmed that conditions in respect of the gradient and landscaping could be added to the recommendation.

Councillor DW Greenow was given the opportunity to close the debate. He reiterated his opening remarks and made additional comments, including:

·         A condition should be added to restrict the track for agricultural vehicles only.

·         The enforcement action in respect of the site as a whole needed to be communicated to the Parish Council.

In response the points raised by the local ward member, the Head of Neighbourhood Planning advised that it would be difficult to enforce a condition in respect of agricultural use of the track. He also advised Members that the other issues on the site needed to be addressed separately and that the enforcement issues referred to were not a material planning consideration in the determination of this application.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         Within three months of the date of the permission details of a re-profiled gradient and finished surface of the track where it meets the WS2 bridleway shall be submitted in writing for approval to the local planning authority. The approved re-profiled gradient shall be completed within 2 months of approval of the works.

2.         Within three months of the date of this permission a landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To  ...  view the full minutes text for item 188

Construction of farm access road (part retrospective).

The determination of the application was deferred pending a site inspection.

The Development Supervisor gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Barber, speaking on behalf of Withington Group Parish Council, and Dr Scotcher, a neighbouring resident both spoke in objection to the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor DW Greenow, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

·         The application had caused concern to the residents of Westhide.

·         The proposed route of the track went across ancient meadows.

·         Amey had undertaken a survey which had shown evidence of a moat across the field I the 1800’s.

·         There had been a number of developments at the farm over the previous years.

·         The proposed route was 4 feet above the bridleway so vehicle lights shone through the window of the objector’s dwelling.

·         There was also visibility into the garden and swimming pool of the objector.

·         The application should be refused as it was contrary to UDP Policies DR1 and DR3

The Committee felt that it would be difficult to determine the application without visiting the site. They therefore agreed to visit the site based on the criteria for holding a site inspection as set out in the Council’s constitution.

RESOLVED

THAT the determination of the application be deferred pending a site inspection on the following ground:

1.         The setting and surroundings are fundamental to the determination or to the conditions being considered, and cannot reasonably be made without visiting the site in question.