Agenda item

To consider an application for the demolition of existing Dutch barn and erection of a new dwelling with associated parking.

That planning application 2020/1287/FUL be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the applicant submitting a revised floor plan drawing showing the installation of blackout blinds in conjunction with the proposed roof lights.

Votes – 8 votes in favour, 1 against

Demolition of existing Dutch barn and erection of new dwelling with associated parking.

The Officer’s Report stated that the application was for a new residential property outside of settlement limits. As the Officer recommendation was for approval, the application had been referred to Planning Committee as a departure from the development plan.

The Report explained that the application sought full planning permission for the demolition of an existing Dutch Barn, and the development of a new 4-bedroom detached dwelling. The new 2 storey dwelling would be set with a landscaped garden area with on-site parking. The access would be as existing. The assessment of this application had been delayed due to the on-going phosphates issue and a solution involving the acquisition of P credits was proposed to redress this matter.

Given the lack of a five-year housing land supply, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the Framework.

The Report explained that the benefits of the proposal would make a very modest contribution to assisting the Council’s shortage of housing land within the District as a whole. The proposal would have some economic benefits for the duration of the construction but the weight given to these benefits was limited. No demonstrable harm had been identified in terms of design, amenity, highway safety and impact on the AONB and the proposed siting for the proposed dwelling would be behind a large barn which largely screens it from the road. As such, the site could not be described as forming part of open land and/or isolated from other development. Also, the application site is within walking distance of a primary school and public transport links to Wells. In conclusion, in the absence of any specific identified and demonstrable harm and taking into account the limited benefits, the Officer’s recommendation was for approval.

Before the Planning Officer explained the application to the Committee, Councillor Bente Height left to room due to her earlier declaration of interest in this agenda item.

The Committee was then addressed by the planning agent. He made the following points:

• There was permission granted in 2019 for a warehouse on this site.
• The applicant was concerned with the amount of additional traffic this would bring to the village and has now applied for permission to demolish the redundant barn to build a new dwelling.
• The proposed dwelling would be lower in height than the previously approved warehouse.
• The design and materials would complement the adjacent properties and would be of natural stone and slate.
• Although some concern was identified by the parish council regarding the proposed rooflights, other buildings in the area included rooflights.
• The site was in a sustainable location with a primary school and bus service within walking distance.

As the Divisional Member, Councillor Tony Robbins spoke first and recommended that the Committee approve the scheme. He then left the room due to his earlier declaration of interest in the application.

In the discussion which followed Members expressed concerns regarding the light spillage from the rooflights and asked if a condition could be added to address this. The Team Leader – Development Management advised that imposition of conditions should be reasonable and necessary. As the site was not in an isolated area and there were other buildings in the vicinity that already had a significant amount of light spill, it was not regarded necessary to condition this.

However, Members felt that this was an opportunity to limit further light spill and it would be reasonable to request blackout blinds to the proposed rooflights.

It was proposed by Councillor Edric Hobbs and seconded by Councillor Susannah Hart to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation with an additional condition regarding the roof lights.

On being put to the vote the proposal was carried with 8 votes for approval and 1 vote against.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2020/1287/FUL be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the applicant submitting a revised floor plan drawing showing the installation of blackout blinds in conjunction with the proposed roof lights.

Votes – 8 votes in favour, 1 against

At the end of this agenda item, Councillor Bente Height left the meeting.