Issue - meetings

[NOTE: In accordance with the procedure for public speaking at Planning Committee, Mr C Sharp attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the application and Mr P Uttley spoke in support.]

The Committee considered an application for the erection of two semi-detached and one detached dwelling and associated hard and soft landscaping following the demolition of the existing dwelling.

The Chairman asked for clarification on the flood risk of the site as the applicant stated it was low risk, and the Planning Officers report stated that part of the site was at medium risk of surface water flooding. The Planning Officer confirmed that the Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment showed that part of the site was at medium risk of surface water flooding, with the frontage on Jackmans Lane at high risk of surface water flooding.

The Planning Officer advised that they had visited almost all of the properties that bordered the site over the course of dealing with recent planning applications, but there had not been a topographic survey submitted with this application (although there was with previous applications on the site). The image supplied by the applicant of the view from the closest rear window of adjoining Heathside was quite heavily reliant on vegetation on the Heathside side of the boundary screening the site, however the applicant had no control over this as it was located outside of their ownership and could be removed by existing or future occupiers of Heathside.

Councillor R Leach, Ward Councillor commented that the majority of representation he had received related to the rural nature of this path, which would be lost. The site was right on the edge of the Green Belt.

The majority of Members thought that the development would increase traffic massively down this rural lane and it was considered inappropriate.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the Chairman deemed that a division should be taken on the recommendation to refuse the application.  The votes for and against refusal of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                           Cllrs J Brown, G Cosnahan, S Dorsett, R Leach, S Oades, T Spenser and M Whitehand

                                 TOTAL:  7

Against:                              None.

                                 TOTAL:  0

Present but not voting:      Cllr L Morales (Chairman).

                                  TOTAL:  1

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be REFUSED.