Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the Regulation Committee held on 2^nd June 2020.

The minutes of the Regulation Committee meeting held on 2^nd June 2020, copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Malcolm Cavill who was substituted by Councillor Martin Wale.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Case Officer, Service Delivery presented the report and explained to members that this outline application had been referred to the Regulation Committee at the request of the Lead Specialist – Planning given the potential for district-wide implications should the application be approved.  She confirmed that the Area East Committee were unanimous in favour to approve the application, contrary to the officer’s recommendation.

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she then proceeded to show the site location and proposed access including the distances of local services. She referred to the key considerations being; principle of development, visual amenity, impact on setting of listed building, highway safety, residential amenity and planning balance. 

She concluded the site location was remote from services and was within the curtilage of a Grade 2 listed building with no meaningful heritage statement provided to assess the possible impact.  She felt self-build should be given limited weight as the number of self-build plots available exceeded the number of people on the self-build register.  The recommendation was to refuse the permission.  

In response to questions from members, the Case Officer - Service Delivery and Specialist - Development Manager advised:

·         Sustainability of any new build cannot be justified based on properties already built on the site.

·         Historic England comment only on Grade 2* Listed buildings, therefore appropriate consultation had been sought with the SSDC Conservation Officer.

·         Because of the district-wide implications of approving the application, the Lead Specialist for Development Management had asked that it be referred to the Regulation Committee.

·         Believe there is sufficient evidence of weight regarding unsustainability to overrule the benefit of one dwelling in a rural area.

·         With regard to self-build, there is a requirement to keep a register of interested parties and make provision to satisfy that need.  The number of self-build plots available already exceed the number of people on that register.

·         If members were minded to approve the application, an informative would be included to advise the applicant that permission would be required to ensure correct legal access via the right of way, as this is not part of the planning permission.

·         Explained the measurements considered when looking at sustainability issues and distances from local facilities, however no specific requirements are included within the Local Plan or National Planning Policy Framework.  Nonetheless, these figures are mentioned within the national design guide and used by the planning inspectorate when assessing sustainability.

·         If members were minded to approve the application, the access condition that was previous agreed at the Area East Committee cannot be carried forward and would need to be resolved at the reserved matter stage.

Ward member, Tony Capozzoli then addressed the committee.  He believed this to be a brownfield site in a sustainable location, was a prime site that would encourage the use of cycling and walking to help promote health and well-being. He had considered the application at Area East Committee and considering all matters, believed the application should be granted permission.

A representative of Chilthorne Parish Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 131.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee will be held on Tuesday 18^th August 2020 at 10.00am. However this meeting will only take place if there is business to conduct.

Members noted the date of the next meeting.