Agenda item

Public Participation

A statement in support of the application from Chris Hulance (agent and designer for the applicant) was read out by a Democratic Services Officer.

Mike Wilmott, Head of Development Management, introduced a report which recommended approving the application, subject to conditions, for the demolition of an existing garage to erect a dwelling.

Key issues highlighted included: the principle of development; biodiversity matters; and design, highway and neighbouring impacts.

Members of the Committee had the opportunity to ask technical questions to the officer. The main points of focus included: internal layout plans, specifically surrounding the positioning of the existing chimney; and similar renovations in the immediate area.

Officers responded to the questions and referred to the pictures and layout plans included in the report.

Councillor David Halik moved to approve the application, subject to the conditions set out as per the officer recommendations, which Councillor Stewart Palmen seconded.

Members spoke of the amount of similar properties and developments in the local area and the minimal impact on the immediate neighbours but raised slight concerns as to the relatively small size of the property. During the vote each member confirmed they had been able to hear and where possible, see all relevant materials.

Following debate, it was,

Resolved

To approve the application subject to the following conditions:

1.    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

REASON:   To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Location Plan, Existing Site Plan, Block Plan, Existing and Proposed side elevations, existing front and rear elevations, proposed front and rear elevations, existing floor plans, proposed floor plans - Received 15th May 2020:

Revised Proposed Site Layout (BP 00351 R) received 3rd July 2020

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3.    No development hereby approved shall commence on site, except for ground investigation work and any necessary site remediation, until infiltration testing and soakaway design details in accordance with Wiltshire Council's Surface Water Soakaway Guidance have been undertaken and submitted to the Council for its written approval to verify that soakaways would be suitable for the development. If the infiltration test results demonstrate that soakaways are not appropriate, an alternative method of surface water drainage shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and be installed prior to the occupation of the development. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: The application contained insufficient information to enable this matter to be considered prior to granting planning permission and the matter is required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority before development commences in order that the development is undertaken in an acceptable manner and to ensure that the development can be adequately drained without increasing flood risk to others.

4.    No development hereby approved shall commence beyond slab level until a scheme of soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include:

*    a detailed planting specification showing all to be retained and new plant species, supply and planting sizes and planting densities;

*    all soft surfacing materials; and

*    biodiversity improvements

REASON: The application contained insufficient information to enable this matter to be considered prior to granting planning permission and the matter is required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority before development commences in order that the development is undertaken in an acceptable manner, to ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and biodiversity improvements.

5.    All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the building(s) or the completion of the development whichever is the sooner.  All shrubs, trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority. 

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

6.    The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match the material, colour and texture of those used in the existing building at No. 17 Blenheim Park.

REASON:   In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area.

7.    No part of the development hereby permitted shall be occupied until the access and parking spaces have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. The areas shall be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

8.    The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the first five metres of the access, measured from the edge of the carriageway, has been consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel). The access shall be maintained as such thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

Informatives

The applicant is advised that the development hereby approved may represent chargeable development under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) and Wiltshire Council's CIL Charging Schedule. If the development is determined to be liable for CIL, a Liability Notice will be issued notifying you of the amount of CIL payment due. If an Additional Information Form has not already been submitted, please submit it now so that we can determine the CIL liability. In addition, you may be able to claim exemption or relief, in which case, please submit the relevant form so that we can determine your eligibility. The CIL Commencement Notice and Assumption of Liability must be submitted to Wiltshire Council prior to commencement of development.  Should development commence prior to the CIL Liability Notice being issued by the local planning authority, any CIL exemption or relief will not apply and full payment will be required in full and with immediate effect. Should you require further information or to download the CIL forms please refer to the Council's Website www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/communityinfrastructurelevy

In order to discharge condition 3, the following information would need to be submitted:

"         A clearly labelled drainage layout plan showing the pipe networks and any links into the soakaway.

"         Evidence that the surface water drainage system is designed in accordance with national and local policy and guidance, specifically CIRIA C753 (The SuDS Manual), the Non-statutory Technical Standards for SuDS and Wiltshire Council's Surface Water Soakaway Guidance

"         Measures to prevent pollution of the receiving groundwater and/or surface waters.

"         Drawings showing conveyance routes for flows exceeding the 1 in 100 year plus climate change rainfall event that minimise the risk to people and property;

"         The proposed ownership details of the drainage infrastructure;

"         The maintenance programme and ongoing maintenance responsibilities of the drainage infrastructure

"         Geotechnical factual and interpretive reports, including infiltration tests in accordance with British Research Establishment (BRE) Digest 365 - Soakaway Design.

The applicant should follow the advice and guidance provided by Wessex Water as contained within their letter dated 15 July 2020 with reference to: WW/NC/ 4272.