Proposed detached dwelling.

The Committee deferred consideration of this application.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking for virtual meetings, Mr R Smith, of Whitchurch and Ganarew Parish Council, had submitted a written submission in opposition to the application.  This was read to the meeting.  Ms R Miller, a local resident, spoke in opposition to the scheme, as a virtual attendee.  Mr R Pryce, the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application as a virtual attendee.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor Watson, spoke on the application.  In summary, she questioned the absence of reference in the report to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan.  She expressed concerns about three main issues: the carriageway, in terms of its suitability as an access and its ability to accommodate construction traffic without sustaining serious damage; land movement, as the area was prone to landslides which had the potential to require lengthy road closure and cause significant detriment to the local area including in terms of business and tourism; and the house was not needed, the Parish Council had met its housing target and the need was for low cost affordable homes.  The Parish Council objected to the proposal. Regard should be had to the Wye Valley AONB Management Plan, the Neighbourhood Development Plan and local concerns.

The Committee discussed the application.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  She considered the application would have a negative impact on the landscape of the AONB.  She requested that the Committee defer consideration of the application to consider it in the context of the Wye Valley AONB Management Plan citing policies within that Plan she considered relevant and that the Committee also consider the construction management plan and a geo-technical survey.

The Development Manager commented that the fact that the Parish Council had exceeded the housing target for the area was not relevant to consideration of the principle of development. In response to the local ward member’s request he advised that whilst a condition requiring a geo-technical survey to be submitted prior to commencement would be reasonable it would not be appropriate to request this before a determination of the application.

A motion that the application be deferred was carried.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of the application be deferred pending an updated report including an assessment of the application in the context of the Wye Valley AONB Management Plan.