Agenda item

Application proposal: Erection of a new dwelling (Revised Scheme)

The Planning Officer presented his report to the Committee with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation showing the proposed plans and photographs of the site.

He provided members with an update to the report; late letters from local residents had been received offering support to the proposal. Their comments included support for the residents who were wishing to remain in the village and that they thought the building would blend in well with the surrounding area.

The Planning Officer clarified that the Devon Bank was no longer proposed, but that the application site would be subject to a landscaping condition. He also advised members that some of the letters of objection which had been received raised concern that a precedent would be set and pointed out that all future applications would be considered on their own merits.

Mrs P Thompson addressed the Committee and spoke in objection to the scheme. She advised that she was grateful for the opportunity to attend the meeting as she lives adjacent to the site. She advised that she was representing 10 other objectors, including a couple who live directly opposite the site and were unable to attend the meeting. She pointed out to members that she thought that the proposal would be detrimental to neighbour amenity within the village. She also raised concern over the height of the building, the party wall, the narrow road and light pollution. It was also her view that should the application be approved, she would like to be assured that adequate screening would be conditioned. She also pointed out that the orientation of the house should be adjusted.

Mrs P Thompson spoke in objection to the proposal and expressed his concern over the proposed dwelling. It was his view that the proposed house would be damaging to the area.

Robert Kearley, the applicant, addressed the Committee. He explained to members that he had lived in Henstridge for a number of years and hoped build his own home in the village. He explained that he had consulted with his neighbours and the Parish Council and was now pleased with the final plans which had been submitted. He pointed out that the orientation of the house was in-line with others on the street. He advised members that he would be happy to comply with a landscaping condition.

Councillor William Wallace, Ward Member, sympathised with the concerns on the neighbours and understood their fears and questioned the proximity of the new dwelling to the boundary wall.

Councillor Tim Inglefield, also Ward Member, said that he had no concern of overlooking and that the design of the house was good and following a site visit he agreed with the case officer recommendation.

In the short discussion which followed, concern was raised over the landscaping and light pollution which would affect neighbouring properties.

It was proposed and seconded that the planning application would be approved as per the officer report, subject to additional conditions in relation to landscaping and light pollution shielding.

On being put to the vote, this was carried 8 votes in support, 0 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: that planning permission 16/01259/FUL be approved as per the officer report subject to additional conditions

Justification

01.       The proposal, by reason of its location, represents appropriate residential development associated with a recognised sustainable settlement and does not foster growth in the need to travel and is therefore sustainable development in accordance with the aims and objectives of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028, and the NPPF.

Subject to the following:

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: LOC 01 Rev D and LOC 02 Rev D received 12 May 2016, 02B, 03B, 04B, 05B, 06B, 07B, and 10 RevA received 14 March 2016.

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

03.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until particulars of the materials (including the provision of samples where appropriate) to be used for external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Elevations shall be constructed in natural stone, details of which shall be agreed as part of this condition.

            Reason: In the interests of character and appearance and the setting of heritage assets further to Policy EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

04.       No development shall commence, before details of the proposed finished ground floor level of the dwelling hereby permitted, in relation to the natural and finished ground levels of the site, have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, the development shall be implemented in accordance with any details as may be agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain adequate control over proposed floor levels, in the interests of neighbour amenity, further to policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

05.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping to cover both red and blue outline areas, which shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land, and details of any to be retained, as well as details of any changes proposed in existing ground levels; all planting, seeding, turfing or earth moulding. All works shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following commencement of the development. Any trees which die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

            Reason: In the interests of character and appearance further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

06.       Provision shall be made within the site for the disposal of surface water so as to prevent its discharge onto the highway,

Reason: In the interests of highway safety to accord with policy TA5 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

07.       Prior to first occupation of the dwelling hereby permitted a properly consolidation and surfaced (not loose stone/gravel) access over the first 6.0m, measured from the highway edge shall be provided and thereafter retained.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to Policy TA5 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

08.       Prior to commencement of this planning permission, site vegetative clearance, demolition of existing structures, ground-works, heavy machinery entering site or the on-site storage of materials, a scheme of tree protection measures, including tree protection fencing and signage; shall be prepared, installed and made ready for inspection.  A site meeting between the the appointed building/groundwork contractors and the Council's Tree Officer (Mr Phillip Poulton - 01935 462670) shall then be arranged at a mutually convenient time.  The locations and suitability of the tree protection measures shall be inspected by the Tree Officer and confirmed in-writing by the Council to be satisfactory prior to commencement of the development.  The approved tree protection requirements shall remain implemented in their entirety for the duration of the construction of the development and the protective fencing may only be moved or dismantled with the prior consent of the Council in-writing.

            Reason: To preserve the health, structure and amenity value of existing landscape features (trees) in accordance with the Council's policies as stated within The South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028); EQ2: General Development, EQ4: Bio-Diversity & EQ5: Green Infrastructure.

09.       No external lighting shall be installed and/ or operated on any part of the site, including its attachment to buildings, unless the shielding and orientation of any light source is so directed to avoid light spillage.

Reason: To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over such details in the interests of neighbour amenity and character and appearance, further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

(Voting: 8 in support, 0 against and 1 abstention)