Agenda item

Application Proposal: Erection of affordable dwelling for elderly persons

The Planning Officer presented his report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation which included photographs and illustrative plans.

He explained that he had received 2 additional letters of representation since the report was published, one was a letter of support and the other was a letter in objection to the proposal.

He explained that a similar application for a bungalow had recently been approved at Area East Committee within the same hamlet of Whitechurch, however pointed out that this application site differed slightly. He recommended that the application be refused.

Mr S Cullum and Mrs J Bates spoke in objection to the planning application. Their comments included;

·         This is a blot on the landscape which will impact the village

·         There is no shop, bus service or facilities in the hamlet and the owner will require a vehicle

·         A number of residents object to the application

·         Letters of support were from residents outside of Whitechurch

·         A precedent will be set

·         The last bungalow was an infill, this site is not an infill, it is outside of the hamlet

Mr H Bentley-Marchant, Mrs D Heath, Mr Duffy and Mrs Donald spoke in support of the application.  Their comments included;

·         The bungalow would allow the applicants to remain within the community

·         Other houses have been approved within the hamlet

·         The bungalow will barely be visible from the lane

·         Downsizing would allow the applicant to remain close to the land which they farm

·         Bungalow should be approved to allow applicant to retire in their own home

Mr Raymond, the applicant, addressed the Committee. He advised members that he had lived in Whitechurch for over 40 years and that he wished to remain on the land in a bungalow. He explained that with the help of his family he hoped to continue farming on the land.

Mr Williams, the planning agent, addressed the Committee. He explained that he was disappointed that the similar application for a retirement bunglow which had been recently approved was not mentioned within the report. He pointed out that this site was only 100m south of the application site. He pointed out that the application was for a small bungalow, which was next to existing farm buildings and would not look out of place.

Councillor Tim Inglefield, the Ward Member, explained that although he recognised that the applicant had lived and played an important part in the community, he expressed his concern that the site was situated north of the natural boundary of Whitechurch. He was further concerned that the bungalow could impact the view of the countryside.

During the discussion, members mentioned the Rural Action Plan and suggested that a site visit be arranged to allow members to view the site.

It was proposed and seconded that the application be deferred to a later meeting of the Committee to allow a site visit to take place.

On being put to the vote, this proposal was not carried with 2 votes in support, 5 against and 1 abstention.

It was subsequently proposed and seconded that the application should be approved, subject to conditions, contrary to the officer recommendation. Members thought that the proposal met the needs of the Rural Action Plan and subject to conditions to ensure that the dwelling was single storey only should be approved. On being put to the vote, this was carried 6 in support and 2 against.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 16/03158/OUT be approved, subject to conditions, contrary to the officer recommendation for the following reason;

01.          The proposal constitutes an acceptable form of development, in a sustainable location, that would meet a local need as identified by the Rural Action Plan, without detriment to visual or residential amenity or highways safety. As such the proposal complies with policies SS2, EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-2028 and the policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS;

01.       Approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale (hereinafter called 'the reserved matters') shall be obtained from the Local Planning Authority in writing before any development is commenced.

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 2015.

02.       Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

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

03.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun, not later than the expiration of two years from the final approval of the reserved matters or, in the case of approval on different dates, the final approval of the last such matter to be approved.

            Reason: In accordance with the provisions of S92 (2) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by S51 (2) Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004)

04.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: P-100 received 20 July 2016.

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

05.       The dwelling hereby permitted shall be single storey only.

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is anticipated to come forward.

(Voting: 6 in support, 2 against)