Agenda item

To consider an application for the erection of a dwelling and car port and formation of vehicular access.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2024/0607/FUL be REFUSED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

Votes – Unanimous

The Officer’s Report stated that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the Planning Officer’s recommendation to refuse differed from that of Ashwick Parish Council which supported the application.

The Report continued that the application related to a parcel of land in the hamlet of Neighbourne. The site was agricultural land located at the top of a valley within the open countryside.

There had been 5 letters of objection from local residents with the following concerns:

·       Impact of ground stability

·       Inappropriate design and appearance

·       Impact on the character and appearance of the landscape

·       Unsustainable location

·       Loss of amenity for neighbouring properties (overbearing)

·       Loss of outlook for neighbouring properties

·       Restricted access arrangements

·       Traffic impacts (narrow lanes)

·       Impact on services (water and electricity supply)

·       Impact on wildlife

·       Cumulative impact

In conclusion the Officer’s Report stated that the site lies in the countryside where development is strictly controlled and does not represent sustainable development due to its distance and poor accessibility and connectivity to local services and facilities. It would also foster growth in the need to travel by private vehicle.

The proposal represented an urban encroachment into the countryside and the limited benefits did not outweigh the harm identified. The recommendation was therefore, for refusal.

The Planning Officer explained the application using a PowerPoint presentation.

There were 3 speakers in objection to the proposal. Their comments reiterated the objections made in the local resident’s letters of objection in particular the inappropriate scale of the proposal. The site also has remnants of woodland and is therefore not just infill land. The narrow road is in poor condition with many potholes and the use of construction vehicles will contribute to the dilapidation of this road. Multiple issues from the previous application have not been addressed in current application. It is in an isolated and unsustainable location and would be visible for miles around due to its location on the hillside. It is not in keeping with the local area and should be refused.

The Planning agent was the final speaker. His comments included:

·       The lack of 5-year housing land supply make this application justifiable.

·       The previous application was refused as it was deemed not to fit in with the surroundings. This revised location is not isolated and the proposal fits in with the surroundings with no harmful impact on the neighbouring properties.

·       The design is innovative and helps raise the standard of design in the area.

·       The Parish Council supports the application.

In the discussion which followed, Members commented that the location was unsustainable, with poor access down a narrow, twisty road. The size of the dwelling appears to be massive and overbearing and out of keeping in the landscape.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin Dimmery and seconded by Councillor Edric Hobbs to refuse the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

On being put to the vote the proposal to refuse was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2024/0607/FUL be REFUSED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

Votes – Unanimous