Agenda item

Proposal: Change of use of 2 existing holiday units to straightforward open market dwellings, together with a provision of residential curtilage and parking spaces.

The Principal Planner (Development Management) presented the application as detailed in the agenda, including details for parking, access and vicinity to neighbouring agricultural buildings. She explained to members the relevant planning history on the site, and highlighted key considerations and some of the issues for this application.

She updated members that since writing the report, she now proposed an additional reason for refusal based upon the issue of the phosphate levels in the Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area.

A member of the public addressed members in objection to the application and raised concern that additional traffic would make the lane more hazardous as there are few passing spaces. She also noted that occupiers of nearby dwellings contributed to maintenance of the lane, so assumed any new owners would do too?

The applicant provided a brief history of why the buildings had been converted to holiday lets, and explained that since then there had been enquiries about purchasing the properties. He referred to sustainability and the site being within walking distance to Langport, and commented the lane would not be more hazardous, as the buildings were already used as holiday lets and there were four passing spaces. The properties would provide needed one bedroom accommodation.

The agent commented the buildings already existed, could be occupied and had been deemed to be in a sustainable location when converted. The size of the properties were adequate and a garden area was proposed to be added to each to improve the offer. He noted that regarding the phosphates issue an application had been approved recently at another committee, where an application had been approved subject to the phosphates issue being addressed.

During discussion by members, a number of comments were raised some of which included:

·         Regarding minimum space standards – are they policy?

·         Need to consider types and size of housing available locally.

·         Already a small collection of properties in the location, and there are plenty of cycling and walking opportunities.

·         Note no local objection from the parish council.

·         Properties are small but that is a choice for the buyer.

·         Can occupancy levels be conditioned?

·         State of the access road may be an advantage so that it doesn’t get used as a short cut.

·         Farm buildings are close by – should there be concerns about use and smells?

·         How many people live in a property is not a committee decision.

In response to comments made, the Principal Planner explained some aspects including that:

·         Regarding the agricultural buuldings immediately behind the properties – when the holiday lets had been approved it had been conditioned that the buildings could not be used for livestock. She acknowledged there was still potential for a noise issue depending on future use of the agricultural buildings.

·         If members were minded to approve the application, it would need to be subject to the ecology issue regarding phosphates on the Somerset Levels being delegated to officers to resolve first.

At the end of discussion it was proposed to approve the application, subject to the ecology issue regarding phosphates being resolved by officers, mainly on the grounds of it being a sustainable location.

In response to the proposal and hearing comments made during discussion, the Principal Planner suggested wording for the justification and advised that conditions would be required for:

·         Time limit

·         Agreed plans

·         Parking spaces to be provided before first occupancy

·         Electric vehicle charging point

·         Removal of Permitted Development Rights

On being put to the vote, the proposal to approve the application, was carried 7 votes in favour and 1 against, with no abstentions.

(Voting: 7 for, 1 against, 0 abstentions)