Agenda item

Planning Application 17/02973/OUT - Land Adjoining Bramble End, Bakers Lane, Barrington

Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 27th September 2017 2.00 pm (Item 64.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Outline application for erection of two dwellings.

The Planning Officer advised that there were significant historical issues with the location. It was beyond the development area of the village and so if approved it would be difficult to defend other applications on an adjacent site, where 7 previous applications had been refused. The site was currently open agricultural land and the proposed dwellings would impact on the character and appearance of the countryside setting.

Mr P Larcombe spoke in opposition to the application. He noted the site was currently agricultural land outside the general village development line and if agreed then it would lead to future applications on adjacent land.

Mr D Rowswell, one of the applicants, said he had farmed in the village all his life and the two houses would allow himself and his brother to return to live in the village. He suggested tying the remaining land and the properties for their sole occupation.

Mr P Dance, Agent for the applicants, said the proposed houses were outside the conservation area and the site was an infill between Bramble End and the existing horticultural building. He said Barrington was a sustainable location and the houses would enhance the character of the area. He noted the Parish Council were supportive.

The Ward Member, Councillor Derek Yeomans, said there was a danger in filling up spaces in the lane but the proposal would allow two local families to return to the village. They were willing to tie the properties to themselves and the Parish Council were in favour.

During a short discussion, Members expressed concern at the precedent they would set in allowing the application and felt that other applications would follow on adjacent land. It was proposed and seconded to refuse permission in line with the officers recommendation, and when put to the vote, was carried (voting, 11 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions).

RESOLVED:

That planning application 17/02973/OUT be REFUSED permission for the following reasons:

Justification:

01. The proposal would result in the extension of development along this narrow country lane that would encroach into this sensitive area of countryside on the edge of the village. It would result in an adverse impact upon landscape and visual character, as a result of the spread of domestic form at the rural edge of the village, in a manner at variance with local settlement character, and the historic settlement pattern. The proposal is thereby considered to fail to reinforce local distinctiveness and respect local context. The identified harm is not considered to be outweighed by the contribution of two additional houses to the overall supply of housing land. In these respects the proposal is considered to represent unsustainable development and is contrary to the aims of the NPPF and Policies SD1, EQ2 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

(Voting: 11 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions)

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