Decision details

Conversion of Barn & Garage to form a 2 Bedroom Dwelling. Small Lobby Extension.

The Officer’s Report stated that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee as it was a departure from the Local Plan. The Recommendation was for approval.

The Report continued that the application related to a disused farm complex situated within the open countryside, a bat consultation zone, an historic park and garden and within a flood zone. This application sought full planning permission for the conversion of a barn & garage to form a 2-bedroom dwelling to include a small lobby extension. Permission had already been given for the conversion of the barn and garage to ancillary accommodation to the house, granted under a Householder Application where the Council concluded that buildings formed part of the existing domestic curtilage. This application proposed to convert the barn into a separate dwelling with a modest schedule of external alteration to enable that to happen, all as per the previously approved householder application.

There had been no objections from consultees and 5 letters received in support from local residents.

The Officer’s Report concluded that the benefits when assessed against the policies in the NPPF it confirmed that the dwelling as proposed would result in no identified harm. The application was therefore recommended for approval subject to conditions.

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

The applicant, Natalie Revie, was then invited to address the Committee. She made a number of points including:

• Whilst this application is a departure from the local plan, the national plan came in at a later date than the local plan and it is compliant with the national plan.
• It will be a family home after 2 decades of renting and will fulfil a lifelong desire to self-build.
• Have taken great care to ensure it harmonises with the area and is sustainable. It includes air source heat pumps.
• There had been no objections from statutory consultees and 5 letters of support from local residents.

In the brief discussion which followed, the boundary of the development was clarified by the Planning Officers. Concerns were noted by the applicant regarding ensuring the rooflights were covered by blinds at night to avoid light spill. Members were happy with the proposals and said it made good use of the existing buildings.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin Dimery and seconded by Councillor Philip Ham that the application be approved in accordance with the Officer’s Recommendation outlined in the Report. On being put to the vote the proposal was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2022/1991/FUL be approved in accordance with the Officer’s Recommendation.