Outline for the erection of one single storey dwelling and double garage with all matters reserved.

The application was approved contrary to the case officer’s recommendation.

The Principal Planning Officer 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, Mr Read, representing a number of local residents, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Snell, one of the applicants, spoke in support.

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

·         The merits of the application were evident.

·         The modern residential development in the immediate vicinity was a consequence of a redevelopment of a historic poultry farmyard (i.e..a brownfield site). This development therefore represented a logical infill of a residual gap

·         The application proposed a single storey dwelling on a brownfield site.

·         The application complied with the NPPF as it would enhance the rural community.

·         The site was sustainable due to its close proximity to Ross-on-Wye.In terms of the context of Herefordshire being a rural county the site was considered to be sustainable.

·         There would not be any overlooking issues in respect of Townsend Cottage, whose owners had written in support of the application.

·         The Parish Council supported the application.

·         The development should be viewed as infill and not development in the open countryside.

·         The application was not detrimental to the AONB.

·         The Core Strategy promoted localism.

Members discussed the application and considered that it was not an isolated site as there were a number of dwellings nearby. It was also noted that the surrounding area was a redundant poultry farm and that paragraph 111 of the National Planning Policy Framework encouraged the development of brownfield sites.

The Committee noted that there were two trees on the site that were worthy of retention. They requested that an appropriate condition be added to the resolution to protect these trees in the event of the application being approved.

The Head of Neighbourhood Planning advised Members that they were required to determine the application in accordance with policy, he asked them to give their reasons for approving the applications based on the three reasons for refusal as set out in the recommendation.

The Committee considered that the application should be approved as a departure from Unitary Development Plan Policy H7 based on the Council’s current lack of a five year housing supply. It was also noted that the application related to the infilling of a small gap between dwellings in a sustainable location. Members did not consider that the development would harm the character or appearance of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They also noted that paragraph 55 of the NPPF would be in support of the application subject to an ‘exceptional design’, however the Development Manager advised the Committee that this would not be appropriate as the application was solely for outline permission and therefore a final design had not been submitted.

Councillor Durkin was given the opportunity to close the debate. He reiterated his opening remarks and made additional comments, including:

·         The design of the proposed dwelling must be of the highest quality due to it being located within the AONB.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to conditions relating to the protection of trees on the site and any conditions deemed necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers.