Agenda item

Report No: DEV/WS/22/050

Planning application - Reconstruct existing building, extension and conversion of forge to create two dwellings

Planning application - Reconstruct existing building, extension and conversion of forge to create two dwellings

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel on 15 November 2022, having been referred to the Panel at the request of the Ward Member (Councillor Roger Dicker). 

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting. The Planning Officer also showed videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

Within the Officer’s presentation it was highlighted that the scheme included no on-site parking; with all parking having to take place on-street. However, the Local Highways Authority had not objected to the proposal on the basis of the parking provision.

The Committee was also advised that, if granted, Permitted Development rights would be removed (as per conditions 9 and 10) in order to further safeguard the character and appearance of the area and protect the residential amenity of neighbours.

Officers were recommending that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 49 of Report No DEV/WS/22/050.

Speakers:    Hilary Appleton (Gazeley resident) spoke against the application

                   Pat Spillane (Landlord of The Chequers Public House, Gazeley) spoke against the application

                   Councillor Robert Connelly (Gazeley Parish Council) spoke against the application

Councillor Roger Dicker, as Ward Member for the application (Kentford and Moulton) was invited by the Chair to open the debate. Councillor Dicker highlighted the history of the site; with the existing building being subject to ongoing enforcement investigations and the subsequent issue of a Notice under Section 215, for which compliance had been outstanding since July 2021.

Councillor Dicker explained that residents of the village were in support of the building on the site being remedied as it was considered an eyesore in its current condition and also posed a safety risk. Therefore, whilst there were some reservations with scheme proposed, there was also support for the application as it would enable work to commence.

Lastly, reference was made to the bus stop that sat towards the south of the site and which was fenced off due to the current condition of the building. Councillor Dicker asked if this could be protected in some way.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) advised that the issue of parking in the vicinity of the bus stop would be raised directly with Suffolk County Council.

Councillor Brian Harvey raised a question in connection with the construction of the scheme, in light of the constrained nature of the site and the need for construction vehicles to use the adjacent highway.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) agreed that an additional condition could be added to request the applicant to submit a Construction Method Statement to the Planning Authority.

Councillor Jason Crooks proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation and inclusive of the additional condition in relation to construction. This was duly seconded by Councillor Ian Houlder.

Upon being put to the vote and with 12 voting for the motion, 1 against and with 2 abstentions it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1. Time limit

The development hereby permitted shall be commenced no later than 3 years from the date of this permission.

2. Approved plans

The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents:.

3. Construction hours

Any site preparation, demolition, construction works and ancillary activities, including access road works and deliveries to / collections from the site in connection with the works shall only be carried out between the hours of:

8am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays

8am to 1pm Saturdays

And at no times during Sundays or Bank / Public Holidays without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

4. Limit water use

The dwelling(s) hereby approved shall not be occupied until the requirement for water consumption (110 litres use per person per day) in part G of the Building Regulations has been complied with and evidence of compliance has been obtained.

5. Bin storage

The areas to be provided for the storage and presentation for collection/emptying of refuse and recycling bins as shown on Drawing No. 22-2663-1 Rev C shall be provided in their entirety before the development is brought into use and shall be retained thereafter for no other purpose.

6. Cycle storage

The use shall not commence until the areas within the site shown on Drawing No. 22-2663-1 Rev C for the purposes of secure cycle storage have been provided and thereafter the areas shall be retained, maintained and used for no other purposes.

7. Ecological enhancements

Prior to occupation details of biodiversity enhancement measures to be installed at the site, including details of the timescale for installation, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any such measures as may be agreed shall be installed in accordance with the agreed timescales and thereafter retained as so installed. There shall be no occupation unless and until details of the biodiversity enhancement measures to be installed have been agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

8. Material details

No development above slab level shall take place until details of all external materials shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

9. Removal of PD rights – alterations to roof

Notwithstanding the provisions of Schedule 2 Part 1 Class A, Class B and Class C of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any order amending, revoking or re-enacting that Order), the roof space of each dwelling shall not be extended or altered in any way and shall not be used for living, hobby or other incidental domestic use, except for domestic storage associated with the occupation of the dwelling.

10. Removal of PD rights – fences, gates and walls

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(England) Order 2015  (or any order amending, revoking or re-enacting that Order), no fences, gates or walls shall be erected within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse in front of any wall of the dwellinghouse which fronts onto a road.

11.                Construction Method Statement

Prior to commencement of development, including any works of demolition, a Construction Method Statement shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The approved Statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period. The Statement shall provide for: a. The parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors

b. Loading and unloading of plant and materials

c. Site set-up including arrangements for the storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development and the provision of plant and machinery

d. Measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during construction e. Access and protection measures around the construction site for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users including arrangements for diversions during the construction period and for the provision of associated directional signage relating thereto.

(On conclusion of this item and Part A of the meeting, the Chair permitted a short interval before commencing Part B of the meeting. During the interval Councillors Jason Crooks Ian Houlder left the meeting at 1.51pm.)