Proposed erection of 2 no. 4-bedroom houses and 1 no. 2-bedroom bungalow with associated landscape works.

The application was refused in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

(Mr M Willimont declared a non-pecuniary interest and left the room for the duration of this item.)

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, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mrs J Gowan, Chair of Wellington Parish Council, spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr A Hughes, a resident, spoke in objection.  Mr G Thomas, the applicant’s agent spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor AJM Blackshaw, the local ward member, spoke on the application.

He commented on a number of issues, highlighting the response of Wellington Parish Council published in the agenda papers.  He questioned the feasibility of the technical solution to the access which relied on a neighbour making land available.  He praised the work of the Parish Council in developing a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

The debate opened.  The Council’s lack of a 5year housing land supply was noted.  However, the consensus was that, having regard to paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework, the adverse impact of the development would outweigh the benefits that the limited amount of housing development would provide.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He acknowledged the grounds for refusal set out in paragraph 3 of the recommendation.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

1.            The development of this application site, by virtue of the site’s location and topography,  would result in a form of development that would adversely impact upon the character of the area that also has significant landscape and biodiversity value and interest and that forms part of the setting of the settlement of Wellington contrary to Policies LA2, LA3 and H13 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.            The application would lead to the loss or partial loss of important trees that form part of a UK priority habitat contrary to the requirements of Policies LA5, NC1 and NC6 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan. The application does not provide sufficient information in order to demonstrate that an enhancement and benefit could be secured and as such does not comply with the requirements of Policy NC8 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

3.            The proposed development, by virtue of the site’s location, topography and relationship with neighbouring properties, would represent an overbearing and intrusive form of the development that would potentially impact upon privacy and amenities currently enjoyed contrary to Policies DR2 and H13 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Informative: