Agenda item

Field End, 10 The Green, Stathern

(At 6:04 pm, Councillor Chandler entered the meeting.)

(Councillor Steadman declared her intention to speak as Ward Councillor and moved  into the public gallery, took no part in the debate nor voted on this application.)

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the application and advised that since publication of the report, the Highway Authority had responded that they were happy with the parking provision despite mentioning that the access was not desirable but given the low traffic flow and small scale development they did not object to the application and provided conditions which were already included in the recommendation.  Mr Worley also advised that a letter of objection had been received from the Parish Council which reiterated comments in the report about the age of the technical documents around flood, archaeology and wildlife and they related to the wider site rather than directly to the proposal. It was also queried as to whether the mains sewerage system could accommodate this development and that an application had been made to the relevant authority to make a connection, during which they would assess capacity to be able to this demand.

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Paragraphs 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to  public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a 3 minute presentation:

·         Councillor Cherry Underwood of Stathern Parish Council

·         Helen Broadhurst of Vale Planning Consultants

The Chair advised that an apology had been from Ms Broadhurst due to illness and the Chair read out her presentation.

·         Councillor Mel Steadman, Ward Councillor

During discussion the following points were noted:

·           It was disputed that the existing building was categorised as a barn and was considered to be a shed.

·           There was concern that the application’s supporting material mainly related to the previous application for 9 houses.

·           The Assistant Director advised that the same issues were relevant from the previous report for 9 dwellings as the current report for 3 dwellings in relation to archaeology, geology and  viewpoints. The drainage arrangements had changed as the new application referred to mains connection and the previous application included an attenuation pond.

·           Emergency vehicles access was considered a concern as was turning into the development.

·           It was felt the site was over-developed and offered 3 dwellings in an area where there should be 2 and there was no lack of housing supply in Stathern.

·           It was considered parking was tight on the development and tandem parking was not desirable and went against the aim to raise standards.

·           The development was considered to be in conflict with Local Plan Policies SS1, SS2, SS3, D1, EN1, EN6 and EN13. The emerging Neighbourhood Plan was included initially but this was not felt relevant at this time.

·           It was felt the applicant should reconfigure the application and work with the Parish Council for a less intensive development.

·           It was felt there was no justification for extending any building beyond the village and into the hillside.

·           The Assistant Director advised that SS3 was not relevant to this site.

Councillor Browne proposed that the application be refused due to being in conflict with Local Plan Policies SS1, SS2, D1, EN1, EN6 and EN13. Councillor Pritchett seconded the motion.

RESOLVED

That the application be REFUSED, contrary to the Officer recommendation. The application represents overdevelopment which is out of character and unsympathetic to the site and its surroundings and would be harmful to the character of this part of Stathern and the nearby Conservation Area. It is therefore in conflict with Local Plan Policies SS1, SS2, D1, EN1, EN6 and EN13.

(Unanimous)

(Councillor Steadman re-joined the Committee.)