Meeting documents

SSDC Area North Committee
Wednesday, 26th August, 2015 2.00 pm

  • Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 26th August 2015 2.00 pm (Item 54.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Erection of a dwellinghouse and change of use of land from agricultural to residential

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, noting that it was for a single dwellinghouse on Ham Hill which would be sited 5.7m below the level of the road.  She said the application failed to satisfy policy SS2 as there was no identified local need and it would not improve the sustainability of the settlement.  Its landscape character was an intrusion into the countryside and it failed to enhance the locality therefore her recommendation was to refuse permission. 

The Committee were then addressed by Ms A Chuter and Mr R Rice in opposition to the application.  Their comments included:-

·         The entrance to the site would be outside the 30mph limit where traffic was moving fast and there was no pavement.

·         The site was beyond the natural boundary of the village and the proposed design was out of context. 

·         The proposal did not meet policy SS2 and did not represent an exception to the policy.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr R Crane, the applicant, who said both the Parish Council and the immediate neighbours supported the proposal and there were no objections from the Highway Authority.  He said the site was naturally secluded and would not impact upon the surrounding countryside.  He had no further plans to develop the site and was happy to work with the village to develop the coppice.

In response to a question, the Area Planning Lead confirmed that the application involved the change of use of the land from agricultural to residential and there was no local tie or agricultural use of the site proposed.

During discussion, various views were expressed.  Some Members felt that the 60mph speed limit at the entrance was dangerous and the house would be better sited within the village whereas it was also mentioned that there were already other properties along the road.  It was proposed and seconded to refuse the application as per the officer’s recommendation, and, on being put to the vote, was carried (8 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstentions).

RESOLVED:

That planning application 15/01736/FUL be REFUSED, as per the officer recommendation, for the following reasons:

01.       The proposed development, comprising the erection of a new dwelling, is located at the edge of a "Rural Settlement", where development will be strictly controlled and limited to that which provides employment opportunities, enhances community facilities and services to serve the development, or meets an identified housing need, particularly for affordable housing. The proposal fails to satisfy any of the aforementioned criteria and as such constitutes unsustainable development that is contrary to policies SD1, SS1 and SS2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and to the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.

02.       The proposed development, as a result of its form, scale and siting, which intrudes into open countryside beyond the village edge, is at variance with the local pattern of development and thereby fails to preserve or enhance local character. As such, it has an unacceptable impact on the character, appearance and the rural context of the locality. The proposal is therefore contrary to policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-28) and provisions of chapters 7, 11 and the core planning principles of the National Planning Policy Framework.

(Voting: 8 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstentions)

Supporting documents: