Agenda item

DCCW2009/0059/CD - CONVERSION OF SCHOOL AND SCHOOL HOUSE INTO TWO RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS. CONSTRUCTION OF THREE NEW DWELLINGS IN THE GROUNDS AT FORMER PRIMARY SCHOOL, SUTTON ST. NICHOLAS, HEREFORD, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR1 3AZ

Meeting of Planning and Regulatory Committee, Friday 13 March 2009 10.00 am (Item 103.)

For: Herefordshire Council and Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance per James Spreckley, MRICS FAAV, Brinsop House, Brinsop, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 7AS

To consider an application which has been referred to the Committee because it involves Council premises

Ward: Sutton Walls

Minutes:

The Central Team Leader said that the application had been referred to the Committee because the application site involved Council owned property. He advised that the scheme was for the conversion of the existing redundant school buildings into a pair of semi-detached dwellings, comprising a 3-bedroom unit and a 2-bedroom unit. There would also be three new dwellings comprising a semi-detached pair of 3-bedroom cottages on the eastern side orientated to front onto the Bodenham Road and a detached 4 bedroom dwelling fronting onto the unclassified road. He said that a further letter had been received from Sutton St Nicholas Parish Council. This requested that some or all of the S106 funding should be directed towards the creation of a pavement between St Michael’s Church and the crossroads in the centre of the village, which is a project identified as a priority by the community. He advised that the Heads of Terms set out in the report listed the various contributions which had been calculated in accordance with the S106 Supplementary Planning Document. It was proposed that some £8,600 would be allocated to highway/transportation work. The proposed pavement was likely to be a considerable project and some of the contribution could be directed towards this because it would fall within “localised highway improvements” and “safe routes to school” which were included within the Heads of Terms. He felt that due to the change in the levels between the site and the unclassified road, it would be appropriate to impose a further condition requiring details of the levels to be submitted and he suggested the addition of Standard Condition I51 – Details of slab levels.

Councillor KS Guthrie the Local Ward Member referred to the concerns raised by the local parish council about flooding to Bodenham road and the need to ensure that the new dwellings did not overlook those nearby. The Central Team Leader said that the Highways department had raised no objection to the proposal and that the properties would be screened at ground level by fencing. The windows had been orientated at first floor level not to overlook and there would be a condition preventing any new windows being installed in the gable ends.

The Head of Planning and Transportation congratulated the applicants on the quality of the scheme which would bring redundant buildings into use and include new dwellings which would be in keeping with the existing ones. The Committee decided that the application should be approved.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission)).

Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2. B07 (Section 106 Agreement).

Reason: In order to provide [enhanced sustainable transport infrastructure, educational facilities, improved play space, public art, waste recycling and affordable housing] in accordance with Policy DR5 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan 2007.

3. B01 (Development in accordance with the approved plans).

Reason. To ensure adherence to the approved plans in the interests of a satisfactory form of development and to comply with Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

4. C01 (Samples of external materials).

Reason: To ensure that the materials harmonise with the surroundings so as to ensure that the development complies with the requirements of Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

5. F14 (Removal of permitted development rights).

Reason: In order to protect the character and amenity of the locality, to maintain the amenities of adjoining property and to comply with Policy H13 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

6. G09 (Details of Boundary treatments).

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity, to ensure the development has an acceptable standard of privacy and to conform to Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

7. H03 (Visibility splays) (2.4 x 65m south along the C1125).