Proposed change of use of building to holiday let.

Application approved with a change to conditions.

The senior planning officer gave a presentation on the application and updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes. The senior planning officer explained that an additional condition was also necessary to restrict the occupancy of the building to holiday lets only.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Bennett, spoke on behalf of Marden Parish Council, Ms Seamer, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Powell, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member provided a statement on the application which was read to the committee. In summary, she explained that previously applications on the site had been refused as the principle of development in the location was unacceptable. A number of objections concerned the retrospective nature of the application. It was explained that the site was outside the Marden neighbourhood development plan (NDP) and was accessed by busy roads. There was concern that the application added to the cumulative impact of other housing and agricultural applications locally. The impact on highways was unacceptable given the poor state of roads in the locality. It was explained that flooding in the area was an issue and there was concern that pollution from the septic tank at the development could enter local drainage channels. The proposed holiday let was very close to existing properties; noise and light pollution would affect local residents. The application would not encourage sustainable tourism as there was a lack of public transport and busy narrow lanes were not suitable for cyclists and walkers. The application was considered contrary to: Core Strategy policies RA2, RA3, RA5, RA6, LD1, LD2, SD1, SD2, SD3 and E4; Marden NDP policies M1 M2 M3 M12 and M14; and to the national planning policy framework paragraphs 8 and 11. The local ward member urged the committee to refuse the application.

The committee debated the application.

The committee supported the inclusion of a condition to restrict the occupancy of the building to holiday lets only.

The committee sought additional conditions to include: the treatment of roof lights on the building to reduce light spill; the provision of an electric vehicle charging point at the holiday let; and the inclusion of a rainwater harvesting butt at the holiday let.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate. She provided a statement which was read to the committee and explained how the application was contrary to planning policies in the core strategy, the neighbourhood development plan and the national planning policy framework. It was explained that there were a number of local representations in objection to the planning application and the committee was urged to refuse the planning application.

A motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation, and including: an additional condition restricting occupancy to holiday lets only; an additional condition for the treatment of roof lights on the building  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75