Agenda item

To consider an application for the demolition of existing stables and construction of two storey dwelling and attached garage

That planning application 2023/2434/FUL be REFUSED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

Votes – 7 for, 1 against, 2 abstentions

Demolition of existing stables and construction of two storey dwelling and attached garage

The Officer’s Report stated that the application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the Officer had recommended refusal which was contrary to the Parish Council’s recommendation of approval.

The application related to a site within the scattered settlement of Downside which currently supported stables and was situated within open countryside and within the Somerset Levels and Moors phosphate catchment. The application was for the demolition of the stables and for the erection of a dwelling with attached garage using existing access.

The Officer’s Report concluded that the site lay in the countryside where development was strictly controlled. The proposal did not represent sustainable development due to its distance and poor accessibility to local services and facilities.  There would be a reliance on travel by private vehicle. The proposal would also be harmful to the rural character and appearance of the area and wider landscape and would fail to preserve the character of the countryside. The limited benefits of a small increase in housing supply did not outweigh the harms identified and as such the recommendation was for refusal.

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

There was one person registered to speak who was the applicant. She made the following comments:

• This application has been necessary due to suffering a serious accident in 2020 which resulted in permanent injuries which require a specially designed house which can accommodate a wheelchair and wet room.
• She has family links to Windsor Hill Lane and although she enjoys her current home, it is not suitable for adapting for a disabled person.
• There is a bus and cycle route within 700m of the site.
• The Parish Council supports the application.
• She would like to continue to live locally and has tried to design the building to fit in with the local amenity.

In the discussion which followed Members made the following comments:

• Although the site could be said to be isolated, there are a number of properties nearby.
• It is an isolated area and should not be further developed.
• Who would be harmed if the application was approved, other than the applicant herself?
• The proposed building is quite large and significant and we must adhere to the planning guidelines and Officer’s recommendations.
• Even if the application was revised to just one storey high, it would still be refused due to its isolated position.

The Planning Officer said that there were 2 harms identified, those being the harm to the rural character of the area and also the isolated location, which was wholly reliant on the use of a private car. These harms, when weighed up against the lack of housing supply, significantly outweighed the small benefit of the provision of one house.

It was proposed by Councillor Bente Height and seconded by Councillor Michael Dunk to refuse the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

On being put to the vote the proposal was carried with 7 votes for, 1 vote against and 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2023/2434/FUL be REFUSED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

Votes – 7 for, 1 against, 2 abstentions