Agenda item

Application Proposal: Outline application for the development of 8 dwellings with all matters reserved, except access

The Planning Officer presented his report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation which included photographs and plans. He advised members that he thought the development of the houses on this site would remove the separation of the village of Charlton Adam to the hamlet of Broadway. He explained that it was his recommendation that the application be refused.

Lilian Elson, a representative of the CPRE, spoke in objection to the application. She explained that the development was contrary to the SSDC Local Plan and was out of character for the surrounding area.

Mr Ambler spoke in objection to the application. He explained to the Committee that he lived next door to the site. He explained that the photos showing the infill of the old quarry were mis-leading and that the amount of infill is in fact very small. He also expressed his concern that the development could cause flooding.

Mrs Hodges, Mrs Stratton, Mrs Hamm and Mr Adams spoke in support of the application. Their comments included;

·         Broadway had never been considered as a separate hamlet

·         There is a need for housing in the village

·         These homes will be ideal starter home for young families

·         Yeovilton is expanding and more homes are required

·         The homes would support the school and the pub

·         The site is located within easy reach of the A37 and A303

·         These homes will enhance the village

·         These homes would allow families to downsize homes and stay in the village

·         The development is described as a ‘ribbon development’. Existing houses in the area could be described as the same

·         The development is not out of character

Shaun Travers, the planning agent, addressed the Committee. He advised members that the site contained 3 affordable homes and had one discreet access. He suggested that the linear design of development matched the existing design in the area and that there is a housing need in the area. He hoped that members would approve the small addition to the village and pointed out that the applicant had agreed to a financial contribution towards sports, arts and leisure facilities for the local community.

Councillor David Norris, Ward Member, explained to members that this application had generated a lot of interest within the village. He described the site as a treasured open space and suggested that the proposal wasn’t sensitive to the environment and that the development had a higher density when compared to the surrounding existing developments. He pointed out that The Charlton’s were in the process of creating a Community Plan which may demonstrate a housing need and further advised that there were less sensitive areas in the village.  He informed members that the Parish Council had objected to the scheme and recommended that the application be refused.

On discussion of the item, members pointed out that there was a lot of support from the local residents who had attended the meeting and concern was raised over flooding.

Members expressed that this would be a huge asset to the village to allow local residents the opportunity to remain in that community and hoped that they should be given first priority.

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be refused as per the officer report. On being put to the vote, this proposal was lost with 2 votes in favour, 6 against with 2 abstentions. It was subsequently proposed and seconded that the application be approved contrary to the officer’s report, subject to a S106 agreement and conditions to alleviate flooding issues, to ensure hedge maintenance and to clarify the tenure of the affordable housing.

On being put to the vote, this was carried 9 votes in favour, 0 against with 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:              that planning application 16/02353/OUT be approved, contrary to the Planning Officer’s recommendation for the following reason:

01.          The location is appropriate for housing, it would have no adverse landscape impact, providing affordable housing for the village, while it would not be contrary to Policy SS2 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

01.       Approval of 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.          No development shall commence unless a Construction Environmental Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved plan. The plan shall include:

·                     Construction vehicle movements;

·                     Construction operation hours;

·                     Construction vehicular routes to and from site;

·                     Construction delivery hours;

·                     Expected number of construction vehicles per day;

·                     Car parking for contractors;

·                     Specific measures to be adopted to mitigate construction impacts in pursuance of the Environmental Code of Construction Practice;

·                     A scheme to encourage the use of Public Transport amongst contractors; and

·                     Measures to avoid traffic congestion impacting upon the Strategic Road Network.

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

05.          Before the dwellings hereby permitted are first occupied, a properly consolidated and surfaced access shall be constructed (not loose stone or gravel) details of which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The accesses shall be constructed in accordance with the agreed design and shall be maintained in the agreed form thereafter at all times.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to Policy TA5 and 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, details of which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such provision shall be installed prior to the occupation of the dwellings and thereafter maintained at all times.

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

07.           The areas allocated for parking and turning on the submitted plan shall be kept clear of obstruction and shall not be used other than for parking and turning of vehicles in connection with the development hereby permitted.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to Policy TA6 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006 - 2028

08.       From the accesses hereby permitted there shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 300mm above adjoining road level in advance of lines drawn 2.4m back from the carriageway edge on the centre line of the access and extending to points on the nearside carriageway edge 43m either side of the accesses. Such visibility shall be fully provided before the development hereby permitted is brought into use and shall thereafter be maintained at all times.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to Policy EQ2 of the South

Somerset Local Plan 2006 - 2028

09.       No development hereby permitted shall take place before a programme of sewer sealing in the village to reduce flows during periods of high groundwater has been undertaken and completed

Reason: In the interests of local amenity and to avoid additional drainage and flooding issues arising from new dwellings in this location, further to Policy EQ2 and

10.       A native species hedgerow planted at the northern site boundary shall be planted and thereafter retained. All planting shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the building or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner; and any trees or plants which within a period of 10 years from the completion of the development 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 landscape character and to soften the development in this locality, further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

11.       The roadside hedgerow other than the access point to secure highway visibility shall be retained and maintained at a height not lower that 2 metres above the level of the roadside.

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

12.       The development hereby permitted shall be restricted to no more than 8 dwellings.

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is approved.

(Voting: 9 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention)