Agenda item

Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of two new chalet bungalows. Improved access for units will be created off Clay Street. Hard and soft landscaping and associated works (Resubmission of 16/07647/FUL).

Public Participation

Jenny Harrison spoke in objection to the application

Sara Webb spoke in objection to the application

Dan Roycroft (Agent) spoke in support of the application

The Planning Officer noted that a site visit had taken place earlier in the day and drew attention to the late correspondence circulated at the meeting. He introduced the application for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of two new chalet bungalows. It was noted that improved access for units will be created off Clay Street, with hard and soft landscaping and associated works. This application was a resubmission of a previous application 16/07647/FUL. It was recommended that the application be APPROVED with conditions.

The Committee had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the Officer, where it was noted that the definition of a chalet bungalow was typically a bungalow that had some dormer windows in the roof. It was estimated that the retaining wall on the site would be approximately 2m high. Previous objections from Highways had been changed following further discussions which had taken place with the planning agent. The cost to repair the damage to the road caused by construction traffic could not be imposed on the developer as a planning condition as this was a civil matter.

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

The Unitary Division Member Cllr Richard Britton noted that the photographs did not give a proper impression of the extent that this site sloped back to the tree line. To gouge out all the earth was a major excavation and would create an alien feature. Clay street itself was a footpath, the site was in a rural setting, not far from New Forest. There were a range of buildings along Clay Street but nothing like what was being proposed here. He felt that the scheme could be attractive in an appropriate setting, but felt that it was not right for this unique setting.

Adding that the impact of the construction process would be detrimental to the neighbouring amenity during construction. Going from 3 beds to 10 on this site was a massive increase. Incongruous effect of levelling this site. The houses themselves are out of keeping with the surroundings. 

Cllr Britton moved for REFUSAL against Officer’s recommendation. This was seconded by Cllr West.

The Committee then discussed the application. It was noted that the proposals were 2-storey houses and not chalet bungalows. Digging out a vast amount of soil to facilitate building a 2-storey property made no sense, as it would damage the landscape.

It was felt that the proposed design did not fit with the other properties along Clay Street. It was noted that the effect of a development of this scale on neighbours during construction was a material consideration.

Given the layout of the street, it was noted that there would be difficulty for lorries to turn and manoeuvre taking away the spoil. Further discussion and conditions could be added to minimalise the disruption caused, however it was noted that any disruption would be for a short period.

The Committee felt that the application was a massive over development of the site.

The Committee then voted on the motion of REFUSAL.

Resolved

That application 16/11803/FUL; Forest View, Clay Street, Whiteparish, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 2ST, be REFUSED against Officer’s recommendation for the following reasons:

The site currently contained a modest single storey dwelling, set within a sloping and verdant plot, and was accessed via Clay Street, an unmade and poorly surfaced private track, which also served as a public footpath.  

In order to mitigate against the prominence of the development, the proposed creation of two five bedroom dwelling houses and parking and turning areas would require the lowering of the site’s ground level, and would involve a significant amount of excavation and retaining structures.

The  resulting development would be of a far more prominent urban character and, in combination with the large scale of the two dwellings and their contemporary character, the development was likely to be unsympathetic to and out of keeping with the more rural character of the area, and the development of the site in the manner proposed was also likely to have a significant impact on residential amenities during construction works.

The scheme was therefore considered to be contrary to the aims of Core Policy 57 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and paragraph 17 of the National Planning Policy Framework.