Agenda item

Planning Application 16/05531/FUL - Fountain House, Hillside Farm Road, High Ham.

Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 26th July 2017 2.00 pm (Item 37.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Two storey rear extension with link tower and internal and external alterations.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and noted that the upper floor of the existing building was restricted by roof space. She highlighted the key considerations and noted the proposal had the full support of the Conservation Officer, and there were not considered to be any amenity issues. The property is a Listed Building and there was also an associated application for Listed Building consent.

Ms J Ash addressed members in objection to the proposal. She had concerns about the extra windows in the rear extension to that originally proposed, and questioned why the extension needed to be so huge. The property had a large garden and she was disappointed that the extension went towards her own property. She noted it would nice to have confirmation from the applicants that it would be they who would enjoy the house, rather than the property being let.

Agent, Mr O Hill, noted the application process had been long and involved over a three year period. The applicants were aware of the issues of the property being a listed building, and negotiations had led to the current proposal. He noted materials had been changed to meet the concerns and recommendations of the Conservation Officer.

Ward Member, Councillor Gerard Tucker, noted he had mixed feelings about the proposal and acknowledged issues raised by the Parish Council. He had concerns about the size, scale and impact and noted he would be interested to hear the views of other members.

During a very brief discussion officers responded to points of detail. Mixed opinions were expressed by members including:

· Render to the gable end wall on the extension will be dominant

· Windows in the proposed extension were out of keeping with the listed building

· The proposed extension was substantial and felt like over development of the site.

· Impact on listed building was detailed in report

· Will be an improvement

At the conclusion of debate it was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the officer recommendation. On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried 5 in favour, 3 against with 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:

That planning application 16/05531/FUL be APPROVED, as per the officer recommendation, subject to the following:

Justification

01. The proposal, by reason of its scale, design and materials, respects the character and appearance of the setting and of the listed building, and causes no demonstrable harm to residential amenity or ecology, in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policies SD1, EQ2, EQ3 and EQ4 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Subject to the following conditions:

01. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: the drawings ref. S5221 numbers 100F, 101N and 102R.

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

03. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no additional windows, including dormer windows, or other openings (including doors) shall be formed in the building, or other external alteration made without the prior express grant of planning permission.

Reason: In the interests of residential amenity and to accord with the NPPF and Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), there shall be no extensions to this building without the prior express grant of planning permission.

Reason: In the interests of visual and residential amenity, and to accord with the NPPF and Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Informatives:

01. This permission is not a grant of Listed Building Consent, and all works should be carried out only in accordance with any conditions attached to a grant of Listed Building Consent to undertake the works to the listed building.

(Voting: 5 in favour, 3 against, 1 abstention)

Supporting documents: