Agenda item

Erection of dwellinghouse and garage/store outbuilding.

That planning application 2023/0814/FUL be REFUSED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

Votes – 8 in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention

Application for the erection of dwellinghouse and garage/store outbuilding.

The Officer’s Report stated that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee at the request of the Chairman as the officer recommendation was for refusal which was contrary to the views expressed by the Parish Council and the Divisional Member.

The Report continued that the application related to a field located between existing housing to the west of Tanyard Lane, in North Wootton. There was an existing access onto Tanyard Lane at the eastern end of the plot. The site was located outside defined development limits and was within a Site of Special Scientific Interest impact risk zone. It was also allocated as an open space within Mendip District Council’s local plan. Previous planning permission applications which had been granted for a dwelling on the site have since lapsed.

The Parish Council had recommended approval saying that the applicant was a long-standing member of the community. There had been one letter of concern from a local resident regarding potential damage to property and electricity lines from falling trees.

There were no objections from Environmental Protection Agency, Highways, Ecology or the Contaminated Land. However, the Tree Officer had asked for a condition to secure a detailed arboricultural method statement to support the provided Arboricultural Impact Assessment /Tree Protection plan.

In conclusion, the Officer’s Report stated that proposed dwelling would be outside the settlement limits and remote from services and facilities and would therefore be contrary to planning policies. It was considered that the harm resulting from the unsustainable location and loss of open space would outweigh the benefit of providing one additional dwelling to the housing stock. Therefore, the recommendation was for refusal.

The Planning Officer explained the application to the Committee with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.

On behalf of North Wootton Parish Council, the first person to speak made the following points:

• After careful consideration the Parish Council recommended approval of the application.
• Aware it is outside the settlement limits (although no longer recognised for North Wootton) but requests the Committee to be more favourable to applications on the village limits.
• The harm to the character of the village would be minimal.
• Applicant is a long-time resident.
• It would add a modest sized house to the housing stock.

The applicant’s agent was the next to speak. He made the following comments:

• The site previously had reserved matters approval which had lapsed.
• Due to small change in planning policy, this application was recommended for refusal. However, the scheme was similar to the previously approved application.
• The location is sustainable as the village has a pub, village hall and church.
• A new dwelling located less than 100m away had been granted planning permission in September 2022 so the same should apply to this application.
• The Parish Council recommends approval.

During the discussion which followed Members made the following points:

• It would make sense to build on this site to fill in the gap in the lane. It may even protect the green space behind it.
• Green spaces are allocated for a reason. Should not build on a green space.
• Is not a sustainable location and would be car dependent.

At the conclusion of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Heather Shearer and seconded by Councillor Edric Hobbs to approved the application contrary to the Officer’s Recommendation. On being put to the vote, the motion was not carried with 4 votes in favour and 8 votes against.

It was then proposed by Councillor Philip Ham and seconded by Councillor Bente Height to refuse the application in accordance with the Officer’s Recommendation. On being put to the vote the proposal was carried with 8 votes in favour, 3 votes against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2023/0814/FUL be REFUSED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

Votes – 8 in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention