Agenda item

To consider an application for the removal of Condition No. 05 (holiday occupancy) of application 20/05/0005 and Condition No. 01 of 20/22/0027 (approved plans) at Plots 15 to 18 Mill Meadow, Parsonage Lane, Kingston St Mary.

RESOLVED:

That planning application 20/23/0019 for the removal of Condition No. 05 (holiday occupancy) of application 20/05/0005 and variation of Condition No. 01 of 20/22/0027 (approved plans) at Plots 15 to 18 Mill Meadow, Parsonage Lane, Kingston St Mary be APPROVED subject to conditions as detailed in the supplementary appendix to the Agenda, including Condition 5 that the chalets shall be occupied for tourism purposes only and shall not be occupied as a person’s sole or main residence

(Voting; 6 in favour, 3 against, 0 abstentions)

The Planning Officer introduced the application to the Committee with the assistance of a power point presentation.  She provided the following comments including:

·       Noted additional information had been received since the report had been published and that the applicant was willing to agree to the inclusion of a ‘local occupancy’ condition should Members be minded agree to the removal of the holiday occupancy condition.

·       Summarised the two key elements of the application.

She also referred to the key considerations and explained that whilst the overall recommendation was for approval, the removal of the holiday occupancy condition was not supported and it was recommended that this should remain.

The Committee were addressed by the Division Member for the application.  Some of her comments included:

·       Draft neighbourhood plan supports the growth of housing development.

·       Helps support the national housing shortage.

·       Good opportunity to meet the local housing needs as there is limited opportunity for new housing in the village for smaller family homes.

·       Brownfield site designated for development.

·       Proposal is of a good eco build design standard.

Councillor Dixie Darch, having earlier declared that she was predetermined, then moved to the public seating and took no further part in consideration of this item.

The Committee were addressed by a representative of the Kingston St Mary Parish Council.  Some of his comments included:

·       Parish Council fully supported this application.

·       Meets the needs of the local community as identified in the local housing survey.

·       Provision of the additional accommodation will be of considerable social benefit.

·       Help ensure a balance is met both in downsizing and the supply of affordable homes and address the lack of 2/3 bedroom properties.

·       Although not yet formally adopted the Neighbourhood Plan should carry some weight.

The Committee were addressed by the agent.  Some of her comments included:

·       Reiterated that there were two elements to the application and that the applicant was willing to replace the holiday occupancy condition with a ‘local occupancy’ condition. 

·       Site was within a sustainable location serviced by a nearby bus route with footpaths and within a safe walking route to the village.

·       Economic benefits if properties were occupied full time.

·       Meets the identified local need and as supported within the upcoming Neighbourhood Plan.

During discussion, varying points were made by Members including:

·       Sought clarification regarding what impact phosphates would have should permanent occupancy for 52 weeks per year be approved.

·       Voiced uncertainty regarding the intention of the application and whether it was to be considered as affordable or for downsizing.

·       Need to be bold and take the opportunity to support the need for local homes for local people and not holiday homes.

·       Supported the proposed amended plans but not the release of the holiday let condition.

·       Did not believe an application should be made for holiday lets and then allowed to convert to permanent homes.

·       Location was not suitable or in a sustainable location for the identified housing need.

·       Appreciated the need for local housing but questioned the affordability aspect.

·       Properties were required to meet the needs of all including the opportunity to downsize.

·       Removal of holiday let condition fully supported by the local people which should not be ignored.

·       Referred to planning policy and therefore should be cautious to release the holiday let clause.

The Solicitor and Planning Officer responded to technical questions and specific points of detail raised by Members including:

·       Clarified the Neighbourhood Plan process including the relevant stages and reasons why it should be given only limit weight at the current time.

·       Confirmed the properties were not classed as affordable homes.

·       Clarified the definition of a brownfield site.

·       If Members were minded to retain the holiday let occupancy condition, a future application could be submitted should the applicant wish to try again following the implementation of the new Somerset Local Plan and any policy changes.

At the conclusion of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Sarah Wakefield and seconded by Councillor Gwil Wren to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation to:

1.      Approve the variation of Condition No. 01 of 20/22/0027 (approved plans) at Plots 15 to 18 Mill Meadow, Parsonage Lane, Kingston St Mary subject to conditions, including Condition 5 that the chalets shall be occupied for tourism purposes only and shall not be occupied as a person’s sole or main residence. 

On being put to the vote the proposal was carried by 6 votes in favour, 3 against and 0 abstentions.   

RESOLVED:

That planning application 20/23/0019 for the removal of Condition No. 05 (holiday occupancy) of application 20/05/0005 and variation of Condition No. 01 of 20/22/0027 (approved plans) at Plots 15 to 18 Mill Meadow, Parsonage Lane, Kingston St Mary be APPROVED subject to conditions as detailed in the supplementary appendix to the Agenda, including Condition 5 that the chalets shall be occupied for tourism purposes only and shall not be occupied as a person’s sole or main residence

(Voting; 6 in favour, 3 against, 0 abstentions)