Agenda item

Application Proposal: Redevelopment of site by the erection of 3 dwellings

The Area Lead Planning Officer presented his report to members. He explained that the application was an outline application for 3 dwellings.

He advised members that there was an update to the report; advising that reference to the site not being considered a brownfield site should be removed from the report.  He confirmed that the site was considered to be a brownfield site.  He also advised that there was no record an agricultural tie in relation to the existing property.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, he provided images of the site and images to show an indicative layout of the proposed properties. He pointed out the location of the site, advising that the site was outside of the built up area of Cucklington.

He explained to members that there were no objections from the County Highways Department, however the proposal was contrary to policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

A representative of the Cucklington Parish Meeting addressed the Committee. He explained that the site was in a predominantly rural location and that he had concerns over the development and impact which it would have on the community. He felt that the village of Cucklington did not support the application.

A member of the public spoke in objection to the planning application. He explained that he was representing other residents of Hale, pointing out that all the other households in Hale objected to the application, as well as the Parish Meeting. He felt that approval of the application would be devastating for the residents of Hale, adding that the proposed buildings would be too tall in height, and that the development would be unsuitable, unsustainable and unsafe. He added that the state of repair of a building should not be a reason for approving planning permission.

Another member of the public spoke in support of the application. She felt that the site was ideal for housing and felt that the area would be tidied up and improved by the redevelopment. She pointed out that the site was close to Wincanton and the A303 and was therefore close to transport links and amenities. She added that the Cucklington Village Plan was out of date and that there was a shortage of housing.

A member of the applicants family addressed the Committee.  She advised that she lived in the village and worked close by, but that she found it difficult to purchase a property in the village. She advised members that the site was a brownfield site.

Another friend/family member spoke on behalf of the applicant, advising that the proposed self-build dwellings would replace dilapidated buildings and tidy up the area. He explained that the properties would provide homes for family members.

The agent addressed members. He explained that the application was for a small cluster of homes and pointed out the bungalow was in a bad state of repair. He pointed out the there was little to promote self-builds and that SSDC did not have a five year land housing supply.

Councillor Mike Beech, the Ward Member, explained that he wanted the application to be considered by the committee, however offered his support to self-build homes. He added that any concerns over the design or size of the dwellings could be considered at the reserved matters stage of the application.

During the discussion, one member commented that the existing dwelling was unsafe and pointed out that there were already homes on the site using the existing access. He added that the applicants had lived in the village for a long time and supported their aim for the family to remain living in the village.

Another member questioned whether the site had any permitted development rights to re-build the existing dwelling on the same footprint, however the Area Lead Planning Officer advised that permitted development rights would not allow a rebuild without planning approval.  The Area Lead Planning Officer also confirmed that the site was a brownfield site and that the recommendation was to refuse the application and explained that the site was situated in open country side.

Another member commented that he would like to see bungalows built on the site, rather than houses.

One member asked for some clarification over brownfield and greenfield sites in planning terms and questioned whether there was a register of self-build plots.

The Area Lead Planning Officer advised that the permission was for up to 3 dwellings and that the site was 0.29 hectares.

It was proposed and seconded that the planning application be approved subject to conditions to ensure that the approval is for no more than 3 dwellings.

The Area Lead Planning Officer suggested an additional condition to ensure that the reserved matters application would be received within three years.

On being put to the vote, this was carried 8 in support, with 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 18/01885/OUT be approved contrary to the officer recommendation for the following reason;

01.          The development is acceptable in this location, on this brownfield site, and would cause no unacceptable harm to highway safety, visual amenity, or residential amenity in accordance with policies TA5, TA6, and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.

Subject to the following conditions;

01.          Details of the access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the development hereby permitted (hereinafter called ‘the reserved matters’) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority before any development begins and the development shall be carried out as approved.

Reason: As required by Section 92(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.          Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the local planning authority not later than three years from the date of this permission. The development hereby permitted shall begin no later than two years from the date of approval of the last of the reserved matters to be approved.

Reason: As required by Section 92(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

03.          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 2742-03

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

04.          There shall be no more than 3 dwellings within the development hereby permitted.

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

(Voting: 8 in support, 1 abstention)