Agenda item

Application Proposal: The erection of new dwelling and garage

The Specialist for Development Management advised that the application was for a single storey dwelling in close proximity to RNAS Yeovilton airfield.  The site was adjacent to Grade 2 listed buildings and was currently used as an allotment and informal parking.  Her reasons for proposing refusal were because of sustainability, noise from nearby RNAS Yeovilton, visual amenity and its setting within the context of nearby listed buildings.

Councillor Paul Rowsell, one of the Ward Members, said that the Parish Council were opposed to the proposal as they felt it was back land development and very close to the RNAS Yeovilton airfield.

Councillor Charlie Hull, also a Ward Member, felt that building close to the proximity of noise zone C of RNAS Yeovilton would set a precedence.

The Committee were then addressed by a representative of the Parish Council and 3 local residents in opposition to the development.  Their comments included:-

·         The houses on Pyle Lane were all linear and to allow the proposed dwelling would be out of keeping with the setting of the area.

·         Helicopters were stationed directly opposite the site so it was very noisy.

·         The Parish Council were considering drawing up a Neighbourhood Plan to prevent this type of development in the future.

·         The proposal was inappropriate and advice was being sought from the Bath and Wells Diocese on development control in the area.

·         If allowed, it could open up development in other back land sites in the village.

The Committee were then addressed by the Agent for the applicant.  He said the site was sustainable as the nearby airbase provided local employment.  He also said there were other properties situated closer to the runway and they would be happy to accept conditions to mitigate the noise.  Any future occupier would be aware of the airfield and some people enjoyed living close by.  The materials would be local natural stone with a slate roof.

In response to questions from Members, the Lead Specialist for Development Management advised that Appendix 4 of the Local Plan detailed the noise guidelines for helicopters and aircraft which stated that that new development should be refused within Noise Category C areas.  If Members were minded to approved the application, then he would have to refer it to the Regulation Committee. 

During discussion, it was noted that aircraft at RNAS Yeovilton came and went but helicopters were a permanent feature and their noise was usually greater.  It was also noted that the application had been supported by 1 neighbour.  Councillor Tony Capozzoli said that when the Harrier jump jets left the air base, he though the noise contours were to be reviewed and he asked if this could be done.

At the conclusion of the debate, it was proposed and seconded to refuse the application in accordance with the officer’s second and third proposed reasons for refusal only (i.e. noise impact and harm to visual amenity/setting of listed buildings) and on being put to the vote, the proposal was carried by 8 votes in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED:  That planning application 19/02387/FUL be REFUSED planning permission, as per the officer’s recommendation, for the following reasons:

1.         The site is within a very short distance of the runways at RNAS Yeovilton and as a result is located within Noise Contour Zone C (as defined by the South Somerset Local Plan), where it is considered likely that occupiers of the proposed new development will be severely adversely affected by aircraft noise from the airfield and will suffer from a substandard level of amenity and wellbeing. The proposal is therefore contrary to the aims and objectives of policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.         The proposal, by reason of its backland position, layout, size and poor design, represents a cramped form of development that fails to respect the prevailing pattern of development, existing local landscape features and the character and nature of existing built form in the area and furthermore fails to respect the character and setting of the adjacent listed building known as Keepers. For these reasons the proposal is not considered to appropriately preserve or compliment the key characteristics of the locality or local distinctiveness or to preserve or enhance the setting of the listed building and as such is contrary to the aims and objectives of policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset

(Voting: 8 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions)