Agenda item

Report No: DEV/WS/20/054

Householder Planning Application - (i) Garage (ii) vehicular driveway improvements

Householder Planning Application - (i) Garage (ii) vehicular driveway improvements

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel on 20 October 2020.

It was presented to the Delegation Panel due to the support from the Parish Council which was in conflict with the Officer’s recommendation of refusal, for the reason set out in Paragraph 41 of Report No DEV/WS/20/054.

As part of her presentation to the Committee the Planning Officer drew attention to the supplementary ‘late papers’ that had been issued since publication of the agenda and presented videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

Speakers:    Councillor Brian Harvey (Ward Member: Manor) spoke in support of the application

                   Les Belsberg (applicant) spoke in support of the application (by way of a pre-recorded audio file)

Councillor David Roach spoke in support of the application which he considered not to be in conflict with polices CS5, DM2, DM17 and DM24 and would not create an adverse impact on the Conservation Area.

Accordingly, he proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor John Burns.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) addressed the meeting and reminded the Committee that the support from the community for the proposal was not a material planning consideration.

On the basis of the reasons given by Councillor Roach for approving the application she also advised that the proposal would not be ‘minded to’ and the Decision Making Protocol would not be invoked in this instance.

Following which, the Planning Officer verbally outlined the conditions that could be appended to a planning permission, if granted.

(Prior to taking a vote on this item Councillor Peter Stevens raised a query with regard to the recorded vote process which the Service Manager – Democratic Services responded to.)

Upon being put to the vote and with 8 voting for the motion and 8 against, the Chair exercised his casting vote against and the motion for approval was therefore lost.

Councillor Roger Dicker then proposed that the application be refused, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Don Waldron.

Upon being put to the vote and with 9 voting for the motion and 7 against it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:

1. The pattern of development in this particular part of the conservation area comprises of large, detached properties that are set back from the highway with large front gardens which offer a sense of openness. This spaciousness is considered to contribute to the special character and appearance of the area. The proposed garage is considered to be a large, bulky and visually prominent addition that will compromise the open character of this part of the conservation area. The proposed garage is considered to be in material conflict with policy CS5 of the Core Strategy, policies DM2, DM17 and DM24 of the Joint Development Management Policies Document, and the advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework which seeks to ensure that new development within conservation areas makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area, by either preserving or enhancing its setting.