Agenda item

Application Proposal: Demolition of existing garages and the erection of a new dwelling with carport.

The Lead Specialist – Planning, advised that the application had been two-starred in line with the scheme of delegation and would be referred to the Regulation Committee should the Committee resolve to approve. This was due to the remote rural location of the site, the lack of justification for approval and to ensure consistency of decision-making across the district.

The Planning Officer presented his report to members. He explained that the application had been referred to Area East Committee as the Chairman felt that the recommended reasons were refusal were not valid as the site was no further from the town centre when compared to the new development on Frome Road. 

He explained that the site was approximately 900m from the nearest pavement, and situated close to a few existing dwellings.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, he provided images to the site and plans to show the proposed dwelling.

He pointed out that the site was some distance from the town centre and that the site was not considered to be within a sustainable location, and advised members that he recommended that the application be refused.

The applicant addressed the Committee. She explained that one of her neighbours to the site walks to the town centre daily. She advised members that it was a safe walk to the town centre, using lanes and public footpaths. She also informed members that her family had lived on Dropping Lane for many years and that she hoped to remain living there.

Councillor Lucy Trimnell, Ward Member, spoke in support of the application. She explained to members that she had considered purchasing a property along Dropping Lane and at that she considered the proximity to the town centre. She explained that the site was a similar distance to the town centre than the home she purchased instead, which was situated on Cuckoo Hill. She explained that it was difficult to walk to the town centre from Cuckoo Hill due to patchy streetlighting and poor footpaths. She felt that it was safer to walk to the town centre from Dropping Lane as there were no parked cars, the speed limit was 30mph and the road was much quieter. She pointed out that this site has always been considered as being part of Bruton.

During the discussion, members questioned whether there was specific guidance, which had been used to determine that the site should be considered to be in a rural location.

The Planning Officer advised that a consistent view from the Planning Inspectorate considered the distance to be approximately 800m, however confirmed that the walkability of the distance was also a factor that had been considered in this case.

One member pointed out that the site was within the parish of Bruton and that the town had all of the facilities required to meet policy SS2. He felt that this was not a remote location. Other members agreed and confirmed that the walk from Dropping Lane to the town centre was a safe walk.

Councillor Lucy Trimnell, Ward Member, advised there were plans to improve the footpath along Kings School, which was a footpath that could be used when walking from Dropping Lane to the town centre.

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be approved, as the site was not considered to be in a rural location and that there were existing dwellings on Dropping Lane, subject to a condition to ensure that electric vehicle charging points should be added.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  Members resolved to approve the application contrary to the officer’s recommendation; as such the application is now referred to the Regulation Committee for the following reasons:

1.            The distance to the Town Centre is the same as other developments at Cuckoo Hill.

2.            The site is not remote due to it being adjacent to 4 other properties.

3.            There are safe means of pedestrian access to the Town Centre.

(voting: unanimous)