The application site is the former petrol filling station site that occupies a 0.10 hectare corner plot fronting Victoria Road and Gravel Hill Drive For Beeches Two Limited.

Ward: Kington Town

Erection of 11 no. apartments and associated garaging.

Councillor T.M. James, the Local Ward Member, commented that this was a relatively small corner plot and that the development would appear cramped.  He noted that the restricted width of the garages could cause some practical difficulties for users.  He also noted the concerns of local residents regarding the density and scale of the proposal and felt unable to support the application and would abstain.

Councillor J.P. Thomas commented that he would prefer not to see such a high concentration of dwellings but noted that other applications had been approved in recent times with even higher densities.  In response to a question about the financial contributions, the Development Control Manager explained that, whilst proposal would represent a decrease in traffic movements compared to the previous use of the site, a contribution had been negotiated with the developer in order to mitigate the impact of the additional persons using the transport infrastructure through bus shelter and cycle parking provision.

Some Members expressed concerns about the density of the development and the restricted size of the apartments but noted that the proposal conformed to the relevant local and national policies.

Councillor R.J. Phillips commented that national planning policy guidance was designed around the demands of metropolitan areas and did not always translate well in rural counties, particularly where transport was concerned.  He noted the need for realistic supplementary planning guidance to take account of the specific circumstances of rural areas.  A number of Members supported this view.

RESOLVED:

1.                  The Legal Practice Manager be authorised to complete a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as set out in the appendix to the report and any additional matters and terms as he considers appropriate.

2.                  Upon completion of the aforementioned planning obligation that the Officers named in the Scheme of Delegation of Officers be authorised to issue planning permission subject to the following conditions and any other conditions considered appropriate.

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 -        A06 (Development in accordance with approved plans).

            Reason: To ensure adherence to the approved plans in the interests of a satisfactory form of development.

3 -        B01 (Samples of external materials).

            Reason: To ensure that the materials harmonise with the surroundings.

4 -        C04 (Details of window sections, eaves, verges and barge boards).

Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of this building of [special] architectural or historical interest.

5 -        C05 (Details of external joinery finishes).

            Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of this building of [special] architectural or historical interest.

6 -        E19 (Obscure glazing to windows).

            Reason: In order to protect the residential amenity of adjacent properties.

7 -        F16 (Restriction of hours during construction).

            Reason: To protect the amenity of local residents.

8 -        F32 (Details of floodlighting/external lighting).

            Reason: To safeguard local amenities.

9 -        F39 (Scheme of refuse storage).

            Reason: In the interests of amenity.

10 -      F48 (Details of slab levels).

Reason: In order to define the permission and ensure that the development is of a scale and height appropriate to the site.

11 -      G01 (Details of boundary treatments).

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure dwellings have satisfactory privacy.

12 -      G04 (Landscaping scheme (general)).

            Reason: In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

13 -      G05 (Implementation of landscaping scheme (general)).

            Reason: In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

Informatives:

1 -        N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC.

2 -        N14 - Party Wall Act 1996.

3 -        N03 - Adjoining property rights.