Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr Tony Allen (Agent) spoke in Support of the application.

Cllr Justin Fry spoke in Objection to the application on behalf of Dinton Parish Council.

The Area Development Manager introduced the application for full planning permission for the demolition of the existing mobile home style dwelling that currently sits on the site and the replacement with a new two storey 3 bedroomed dwelling incorporating a tiled/slate roof with wood clad walls and a brick base. This was a small site just off the C road that runs between the villages of Dinton and Wylye in the Cranbourne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The application was recommended for approval.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the Officers. It was noted that there was no requirement to tie the development to the farm.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee, as detailed above.

After declaring an interest as a member of the AONB Partnership Panel, The Unitary Division Member, Councillor Bridget Wayman then spoke in objection to the application, noting the scale of the development was seven times larger than the existing dwelling. Cllr Wayman asked the Committee to give consideration to the conservation and enhancement of the natural surroundings, within the AONB. Highlighting that one end of the dwelling would virtually be completely made of glass. The light spillage from that glass would cause light pollution in a rural dark landscape. Cllr Wayman urged the Committee to refuse the application, however if the Committee was mindful to approve it, then she asked for an additional condition to be included which would not permit any external lighting on the property, and for condition 4 to be adapted to require the hedgerow to be retained.

The Committee discussed the application noting that other areas such as the Brecon Beacons had planning policy in place which protected areas with dark skies; it was suggested that Wiltshire should have something similar. The proposed development was significantly larger than the existing dwelling, and building something of such a massive scale in an area which was never meant to receive it would be in conflict with H30.

Resolved

The application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

The application site lies within the countryside and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Within the countryside saved Policy HC30 of the Salisbury District Local Plan allows replacement dwellings provided that they are not significantly larger than the dwelling they are to replace, and Policy CP51 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy requires new development to protect, conserve and, where possible, enhance the character of the landscape, particularly within the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In this case the proposal is to demolish the existing modest single storey dwelling on the site and erect a significantly larger two storey house – over seven times larger in terms of its floor area.  An increase of this magnitude is not considered to amount to ‘replacement’ in terms of Policy HC30, and so the proposal conflicts with this policy per se.  And additionally as a consequence of the size increase (in terms of both the floor area and height) and resulting prominence in views, the proposed new house would have a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the landscape in the area.  This would be to the detriment of the landscape in the wider area, neither conserving nor enhancing its status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, contrary to Policy CP51.