Agenda item

Public Participation

Brian Toogood, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Pat Banwell, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor David Motram, speaking on behalf of Urchfont Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced a report which recommended the application be refused. The key issues were stated to be the principle of development, layout design and visual impact, the impact on highway safety, and the environmental and ecological impact.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the settlement boundary for the proposed development area. It was explained that it was outside of development boundaries, and that whilst there was going to be a review, under the initial plans it was still outside.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the

Committee, as detailed above.

The local member, Councillor Philip Whitehead, then spoke in support of the application, stating that the land was not agricultural, remote, rural, or unsustainable. It was highlighted that there were houses located all around The Bottom, and that the proposed house design was not out of character.

A debate followed, where it was discussed whether the land should be included within the boundaries in future and whether an exception could be made at this point in time or whether this would set a precedent for development outside settlement boundaries which could have negative impacts across the area and county . Members also debated the officer’s recommended reasons for refusal.

At the conclusion of debate it was,

Resolved

That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1. The proposed development would result in the creation of a new residential unit within the countryside outside of the Limits of Development of Urchfont as defined within the Kennet Local Plan. The site is considered to be within an unsustainable location for residential development and there are no exceptional circumstances to justify a residential use at the site. As such, the proposal would be contrary to both national and local planning polices, which seek to promote sustainable development and protect the countryside, namely section 4 ‘Promoting sustainable transport’ and 6 ‘Delivering a wide choice of high quality homes’ of the NPPF, saved Policies NR6 ‘Sustainability & Protection of the Countryside’ and HC26 ‘Housing in the Countryside’ of the Kennet Local Plan, and Core Policy Core Policy 1 ‘Settlement Strategy’, Core Policy 2 ‘Delivery Strategy’ and Core Policy 12 ‘Devizes Community Area’ of the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy.

2. The proposed development would be detrimental to the visual amenities of the area in that it would disrupt the unspoilt character of the site by introducing a new modern dwelling, and associated works, into a prominent position. The proposal would erode the rural appearance of the site and have an adverse impact on the character of the landscape. As such, the proposal is contrary to section 11 ‘Conserving and enhancing the natural environment’, saved Policies PD1 ‘Development & Design’ and NR7 ‘Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment’ of the Kennet Local Plan, and Core Policy 51 ‘Landscape’, and Core Policy 57 ‘Ensuring High Quality Design and Place Shaping’ of the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy.