Agenda item

Planning Application 17/04236/S73 - Plot 1, Land Opposite Autumn Leaves, Pibsbury, Langport.

Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 28th February 2018 2.00 pm (Item 130.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Application to vary condition no. 2 (approved plans) of 17/00167/FUL for the re-siting and design of dwelling.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, and noted there were slightly different issues to consider compared to the previous application just considered by members. He explained that this application was to consider a revised dwelling in a slightly different location, and the officer recommendation of refusal was due to issues with local character and appearance.

Mrs S Nicholas, spoke on behalf of Huish Episcopi Parish Council in objection to the proposal, and referred to previous applications when considered at Committee. They were of the opinion that the extant permission was adequate for the site, and felt the applicant was pushing the boundaries about what was acceptable on this site. She felt some ludicrous comments had been made about the housing numbers needed in the area and referred to other large housing schemes approved or planned in the local area.

Ms S Vickery, applicant, highlighted that a quarter of an acre plot was proposed for each proposed dwelling. She noted that smaller properties would be more suited to a smaller family.

Ward member, Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul, referred to her comments made at the previous application which had just been discussed, as both applications were intrinsically linked.

There was no discussion and it was proposed to refuse the application as per the officer recommendation. On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried 11 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:

That planning application 17/04236/S73 be REFUSED, as per the officer recommendation, for the following reason:

Reason:

01. The proposal, by reason of its siting, design, scale and massing, fails to respect the established character and appearance of the locality, or to reinforce local distinctiveness of the setting, contrary to the aims and objectives of policies SD1, SS2 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Informatives:

01. In accordance with paragraphs 186 and 187 of the NPPF the council, as local planning authority, takes a positive and proactive approach to development proposals focused on solutions. The council works with applicants/agents in a positive and proactive manner by;

• offering a pre-application advice service, and

• as appropriate updating applications/agents of any issues that may arise in the processing of their application and where possible suggesting solutions

In this case, there were no minor or obvious solutions that could be applied during the course of the application to overcome the reasons for refusal.

(Voting: 11 in favour of refusal, 0 against, 1 abstention)

Supporting documents: