Agenda item

Land adjacent 51 Stathern Lane, Harby

Applicant:     Mr Daniel Parnham

Location:      Land adjacent to 51 Stathern Lane, Harby

Proposal:      Erection of three dwellings

(a)  The Planning Officer (GBA) stated that:

• Application for three dwelling off Stathern Lane, Harby
• Full application with materials and landscaping for consideration
• One update confirming distance to neighbours from development 17 not 15m
• Two points of clarification over permitted developments regulations and that the trees to the front of the site will be protected.

(b) Nick Bacon, agent on behalf of the applicant, was invited to speak and stated that:

• It is a small scheme which will benefit the village.
• Necessary for the 5 year land supply.
• There will be 3 small houses which would be suitable for young couples or elderly villagers who wish to downsize.
• The appearance has been designed so it’s not imposing.
• Two bedrooms in the roofs with dormer windows so as not to impose on the houses opposite.
• Harby neighbourhood plan should be given weight.
• Concluded that it is not a valuable open space.
• Three car parking spaces are required and they have been provided.
• It will not make green lane any worse.
• There are considerable benefits and it will supplement and complement the village of Harby.

Cllr Baguley proposed to permit the proposal with the added condition that any further permitted development rights are removed. She added that she is pleased to see the trees being retained.

Cllr Cumbers seconded the proposal and added that she would particularly like the condition regarding PD rights included. She felt that any further development would lead to more car ownership and noted that this doesn’t stop development but that they would just have to ask for planning permission first.

Some Cllrs noted that they were pleased to see smaller housing and the retention of the trees, and that it would meet the housing needs and the neighbourhood plan. They felt the parking was extremely important.

A Member raised concerns regarding the proposed materials of bricks and stone with the suggestion that bits of ironstone would be randomly placed amongst the bricks. They asked if the proposer and seconder would agree which materials are used as it is a prominent area and on the road.

There was a discussion regarding the merits and pitfalls of conditioning the materials.

A Member noted that condition 2 mentioned materials and the use of them being in strict accordance with those specified in the application.

The Planning Officer (GBA) stated that they could ask for more specific materials.

The Chair noted that the application is very specific and that they need to be more flexible with materials and asked officers to revise the wording of the condition as such.

The Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services added that the wording could be amended to, not withstanding the plans submitted, materials to be agreed by Officers and Ward Cllrs.

A vote was taken and the Members voted unanimously to permit.

Determination: PERMIT, subject to the conditions as set out in the report, but with condition 2 amended to read:

Notwithstanding the details specified, revised details of the external materials to be used in the development hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in strict accordance with the approved details.

Reason: The development proposed is for a relatively small scale residential development of the type required in the local area. The design is sympathetic to Harby and has raised no objection from the Leicestershire County Council highways authority provided that stringent conditions are adhered to.  The development accords with the Development Plan for the area (the CHH Neighbourhood Plan) and as such permission should be granted unless there are material considerations to indicate otherwise. The Local Planning Authority can demonstrate a five years supply of housing sites and as whilst the policies of the NP retain full weight., this should be not treated as a minimum. As this application will improve an open space with disused hard standing to three well designed dwellings in a sustainable location the proposal is viewed as acceptable that accords with local, neighbourhood and national planning policies. No material considerations have been identified that justify a departure from the Development Plan.