Agenda item

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site and proposed plans and confirmed there were no further updates to the report.

She referred to the key consideration being Landscape Impact and Visual Amenity and although acknowledged the Landscape Officers concern, she understood that the eastern side of the site had now been sold off and lineated with appropriate fencing indicating the various differing ownerships. She considered this had already compromised the historic field and original appearance of the area and it returning to the original field arrangement was remote. 

The Planning Officer considered the scale acceptable and not out of keeping with the pattern of development. She concluded that there was limited public view via the adjacent drove and therefore her recommendation was for approval for reasons as set out in the agenda report.

Andrew Keeling a member of the public addressed the committee and spoke in objection to the application.  He considered it further domestic expansion into agricultural land, referred to previous refused planning permission which furthermore was dismissed at appeal and the applicant’s failure to comply with two conditions imposed from previous permission. 

Steven Pearce the applicant then addressed the committee.  He clarified the confusion regarding the ownership of the land and his position concerning the existing hedgerow, bearing in mind the impending construction of the new dwelling between the two existing properties.  He concluded that he had every intention to comply with any conditions should permission be granted.

Councillor Derek Yeomans, Ward member explained his original concerns with regard to the ownership of the land.  He acknowledged the land alterations in recent times and clarity of the land ownership and did not feel this proposal was any more intrusive.  Therefore on balance he considered the application to be acceptable.  He wished however that should permission be granted, the hedge located on the south east corner is totally entire to bind the periphery of the site.  He trusted this will ensure there is a distinct barrier of the new curtilage and existing field pattern and also a distinct boundary hedge to sub divide the land for the properties of West View, Bladon Way and the new house to be constructed. 

During a short discussion, members appreciated the clarification of the land ownership and reiterated the need to ensure the distinct boundary of the three dwellings which they believed would give a definitive boundary to the rear gardens of the properties. 

In response to members’ comments, the Area North Lead clarified that:

·         Condition 4 safeguards any local landscape issues and captures the hedge in its entirety.

·         Referred to Condition 5 that no other outbuildings etc. shall be erected on the garden land without the granting of planning permission.

Following a short debate, the Area North Lead advised members that Condition 3 be amended to clarify the subdivision of the application site between the three properties.  There being no further debate it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report with the amendment to Condition 3.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED:

That application 16/02970/COU be approved subject to:

The proposed development, by reason of its siting, scale and layout, respects the rural character of the surrounding area and causes no demonstrable harm to visual or residential amenity in accordance with the aims and objectives of policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

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 location plan and site plan received 01/07/2016.

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

03.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced unless details of the subdivision of the application site to indicate which part of the land shall be associated with which property.  Thereafter, the change of use of the whole of the application site (as defined by the redline detailed on the approved site plan) shall be carried out in its entirety within six months of the commencement of this permission and shall be permanently retained and maintained in this manner thereafter.

            Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the local landscape in accordance with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced unless details of a supplementary planting scheme, to include species, siting and numbers, to reinforce the existing hedgerow currently growing along the south boundary of the application site have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. The agreed planting scheme shall be completely carried out within the first available planting season from the date of commencement of the development. For a period of five years after the completion of the planting scheme, the trees and shrubs shall be protected and maintained in a healthy weed free condition and any trees or shrubs that cease to grow shall be replaced by trees or shrubs of similar size and species, or the appropriate trees or shrubs as may be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the local landscape in accordance with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.       Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no garages or other outbuildings shall be erected on the garden land hereby permitted without the prior express grant of planning permission.

                        Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the local landscape in accordance with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no new fences, walls, gates or other means of enclosure greater than 1.2 metres in height shall be erected on the garden land hereby permitted without the prior express grant of planning permission.

                        Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the local landscape in accordance with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

(Voting: Unanimous)