Agenda item

Angelo Papa, Chris Wannell and Simon Chambers spoke in support of the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be REFUSED.

He explained that the application was to convert an existing property into a self-contained four bedroom dwelling. Permission was originally granted to construct a building for equine use, a larger building than that permitted was constructed and retrospective permission was granted.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that refusal was recommended due to the proposal’s poor design and cramped, close relationship with the dwelling it was originally intended to serve. It was also confirmed that the building had been used for equine use for over two years and was located in open country-side.

Members of the public then addressed the Committee as detailed above.

The local member Cllr Groom spoke in support of the application. She noted the lack of local objection, the need for housing in the area and that the building’s design was consistent with the adjacent house.

In the debate that followed concern was expressed that the development could set a precedent for the future conversion of other agricultural buildings. The Committee also discussed the benefit of converting the redundant building to meet local housing needs and the benefit of demolishing the garage. NPPF paragraph 55 was noted as was the proposal’s poor design which did not enhance the immediate setting.

It was resolved to:

REFUSE planning permission forthe followingreasons:

Byreasonof the proposal’s poordesign andcramped,closerelationship of the garage with the dwelling it was originallyintendedto serve,the developmentwouldhave anunacceptableimpact on residentialamenityandwould notpresentanenhancement of the immediatesetting. Accordingly,it is consideredthat the proposed developmentconflictswith the principlesin the NationalPlanningPolicyFramework relatingto the re-use ofredundantbuildingsand PolicyC3 ofthe adopted NorthWiltshireLocal Plan2011.