Agenda item

Application Proposal: Erection of a dwelling

The Planning Officer presented her report to members, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation to show proposed plans and photos of the site.

She explained that Yeovilton had a church which was owned by the MOD, but no further facilities and therefore did not meet the requirements of a rural settlement under policy SS2.

Mr N Hardy, the applicant, addressed the Committee. He advised that the site was a short distance to Ilchester, where there were many services and facilities. He also pointed out there was a church and public house in Limington. He explained to members that it would be unlikely that there would be a loss of light to existing neighbours and that the access had been used for 28 years without any problems.

Mr O Marigold, the agent, addressed the Committee. He explained that there was an urgent need for housing and that SS2 carried little weight. He further added that it did indeed comply with policy SS2 as the site could easily access the services of Ilchester, which was less than 2 miles away.

Councillor Tony Capozzoli, the Ward Member, offered his support to the application. He explained that there were other in-fill developments and that the site was close to Ilchester and Podimore.

During the discussion, members discussed parking on the site. However, the Planning Officer and the applicant confirmed that this was not an issue. Some members also commented that the Conservation Officer and the Parish Council did not support the application.

The Lead Planning Officer advised members that should the committee resolve to approve the application contrary to the officer’s recommendation that we would consider instigating the 2-star Regulation Committee referral process. Members were advised to carefully consider the policy justification for approving this application in line with policy SS2 and give clear reasons. He advised that a positive recommendation would signal a public view that members considered Yeovilton fit for more development in principle. 

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application should be approved contrary to the officer recommendation. On being put to the vote, this was carried 4 votes in support, 3 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 17/03792/FUL be approved contrary to the officer recommendation for the following reason;

01.          The proposal lies in a settlement that the committee considers along with Ilchester and Limington acts as a cluster providing residents with the necessary local services in accordance with Policy SS2 of the of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted 2015). The proposal as designed would not impact unduly on the setting of the adjacent Listed Building in accordance with policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted 2015).

Subject to the following conditions:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans drawings numbered 15079_P1 Rev C received 28/09/2017 and 15079_P2 Rev C received 03/11/2017.                                                                                                                                    

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

03.       No work shall be carried out on site unless particulars of the following have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

a)         materials (including the provision of samples where appropriate) to be used for all external walls and roofs;

b)         full details of all new walls including any new boundary walls, to include details of materials, coursing, bonding, coping, mortar profile, colour and texture, and supported by a sample panel provided on site;

c)         details of the design, materials, external finish and recessing for all external doors, windows, roof lights and openings, including detailed sectional drawings where appropriate, lintels and treatment to the surrounds of window and doorway openings;

d)         details of all roof eaves, fascias, verges, including detailed section drawings, and all new guttering, down pipes and other rainwater goods, external plumbing;

            Once approved such details shall be fully implemented and shall thereafter not be altered unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interest of residential amenity and visual amenity and to safeguard the setting of the listed building to accord with policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       No works shall be carried out unless details of finished internal ground floor levels have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. The scheme shall be completed in accordance with the approved details.

            Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to safeguard the setting of the listed building to accord with policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.       The areas allocated for parking, including garages, and turning shall be kept clear of obstruction and shall not be converted or used other than for the parking of vehicles in connection with the development hereby permitted.

            Reason: To ensure that adequate parking is provided and maintained to meet the needs of the development in accordance with policy TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       No works shall be carried out on site unless boundary treatment details have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. Once approved such details shall be fully implemented and shall thereafter not be altered unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interest of neighbour amenity and to safeguard the setting of the listed building in accordance with policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07.       Prior to the first occupation of the dwelling hereby permitted, a sound insulation scheme shall be submitted in writing and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once agreed the scheme shall be maintained and not altered without the prior permission of the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: To safeguard the amenities of the future residents of the dwelling hereby permitted in accordance with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

08.       Before development commences (including site clearance and any other preparatory works) a scheme for the protection of existing trees shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such a scheme shall include a plan showing the location and type of protective fencing to be used. Such fencing shall be erected prior to any other site operations and shall thereafter be maintained and retained for the full duration of works or until such time as agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. No activities whatsoever shall take place within the protected areas without the prior written agreement of the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason:  To safeguard the existing trees and natural features during the construction phase in accordance with policy EA2 and EQ5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

09.       No construction works shall be carried out or deliveries made to the site other than between the hours of 08.00 and 18.00 Monday to Friday and 08.00 to 12.00 Saturdays and not at all on Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays.

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity in accordance with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

(Voting: 4 in support, 3 against and 1 abstention)