Proposed erection of two dwellings.

Deferred pending a Site Inspection.

The Development Manager (Hereford and Southern Localities) 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, Mrs Rowles, representing Fownhope Parish Council, and Mr Jolley, a neighbouring resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Jamieson, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

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

·         That the planning history on the site, and in particular the existing Section 106 agreement needed to be considered.

·         The site was at the gateway to the village and was therefore an important site to the people of Fownhope.

·         The application was contrary to UDP Policies HBA6 and HBA9 as it failed to improve or enhance the conservation area.

·         The trees on the site needed to be protected, the encroachment on the root zone of one of the trees on plot 1 was a concern.

·         Members should undertake a site inspection prior to making a decision in respect of the application.

The Committee discussed the benefits of undertaking a site inspection and decided that it would be beneficial and was in accordance with the criteria for site inspections as set out in the Council’s Constitution.

Members requested that further information in respect of the root protection areas of protected trees and the existing Section 106 agreement on the site be provided when the application was bought back to the Committee at a later date.

RESOLVED

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

1.         A judgement is required on visual impact.

2.         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.