Proposed erection of 40 dwellings including 14 affordable houses and change of use of land to form community open space.

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

(Proposed erection of 40 dwellings including 14 affordable houses and change of use of land to form community open space.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.  An application for 60 dwellings on the site had been refused by the Committee on 27 August and was the subject of an appeal.  The revised application before the Committee was for 40 dwellings to be constructed on the eastern parcel of the application site (where 49 were previously proposed) with the whole of the western parcel transferred to the Parish Council and protected for community use as public open space.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr M Thomas, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application.  Mr B Eacock, 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 DW Greenow, spoke on the application.

He commented on a number of issues including:

·         At a meeting of the Parish Council residents present had been asked for their views and had narrowly voted in support of the application.  The Parish Council had noted that those supporting the application appeared to do so reluctantly acknowledging that there would have to be some development in the villages.   The Parish Council had voted by a majority to support the application.

·         A difficult balance had to be struck.  The reasons for refusing the previous application still applied: adverse effect on the character and setting of the village. and visibility from the AONB.  However, the new proposal was for a smaller development with the offer of a parcel of land to the Parish Council.

·         Other applications for development in the locality had been lodged, one for over 100 houses. The previous application was the subject of an appeal.  It was understood that the developer would proceed on the basis of the application before the Committee rather than the original application if planning permission was granted.

·         At least one property neighbouring the development relied on a private water supply.  If permission were granted the developer should be requested as part of the development works to explore linking any such properties to the mains water supply.

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

·         The development would have an adverse impact on the setting of listed buildings and the landscape.  It was important that if it proceeded particular consideration was given to landscaping at the reserved matters stage.

·         It was requested that the developer should be asked to work with neighbours in relation to the water supply.

·         Further work should be done at the reserved matters stage on pedestrian access.  In response to this point the Principal Planning Officer clarified the position regarding pedestrian access and officers’ conclusion  that there was no highway safety issue.

·         The development offered the opportunity to preserve a green space in the village.

·         The development should be built to a good and sustainable standard.

·         The Parish Council had indicated support for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184