Agenda item

To erect a detached outbuilding, housing double garage with office space to the side, consolidate access and associated works.

Public Participation

Sarah Miller (adjacent resident) spoke in objection of the application.

Richard Packer and Lucy Packer/Neville-Rolfe (owners of 1 Lower Mooray) provided a statement in objection which was read out by the DSO.

Francesca Mathieu, (owner of the property), spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Bev Small, on behalf of Chilmark Parish Council, spoke in objection of the application. For clarity, it was noted that the Chairman of Chilmark PC, Cllr Richard Packer had not participated in any meetings where the Parish council had discussed the application. 

James Repper, Planning Officer, presented the application which was for the erection of a detached outbuilding, housing a double garage with office space to the side and to consolidate access and associated works. The application was recommended for approval with conditions as detailed in the Officer report.

Key issues highlighted included: principle of development; scale, design, impact to character, AONB and appearance of the area; and residential amenity and living conditions.

Members of the Committee had the opportunity to ask technical questions to the officer. In response to queries, it was clarified that the surface material for the proposed driveway was yet to be stipulated but would be conditioned to be non-porous to prevent any surface water flow onto the single-track lane. Officers confirmed that the garden area was part of the residential curtilage and clarified that extension policies included outbuildings or proposals detached from the main property.

Members of the public, as detailed above, then had the opportunity to speak on the application.

Concerns were raised regarding the hedging encircling the application site and the dimensions of the proposed outbuilding to which officers reiterated the sizes and noted that due to the proposed roofing material, the height and angle of the roof was to compensate for this specific material and could not be altered in order to be in keeping with the AONB. 

Local member Cllr Bridget Wayman spoke in objection of the application and noted her support of the Chilmark Parish Council’s statement of objection. Cllr Wayman acknowledged the alterations and reductions in the size of the application but noted that the pictures and proposed site plans appeared to misrepresent the dimensions and size of the area. Reference was made to the age of the property and historical significance for the village, Cllr Wayman requested a condition be added to the application, if approved, to ensure the protection of any mature trees from damage or removal during the development.

The Chair, Cllr Fred Westmoreland, moved a motion to approve the application in line with officer recommendations, including any conditions, which Cllr Christopher Devine seconded.

In the ensuing debate, members considered the existing car parking arrangements and the increasing move towards home working in the current climate. The Committee queried the size of the outbuilding, where it was confirmed that the revised dimensions of the double garage were considered to be a standard size with the majority of the structure hidden behind the encircling hedging.

The Committee asked for clarification on the addition of a condition to protect the hedge along the proposed development. The Officer advised that it would be possible to apply such a condition.

Following debate the Committee confirmed they had heard and seen all relevant visual materials, and voted on the motion of approval  in-line with officer recommendation, with the  additional condition concerning the protection of the hedging and any mature trees. It was:

Resolved

The application 20/02825/FUL be approved, subject to the following conditions: