Agenda item

Erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings, car parking, access and associated works.

Public Participation:

·       Chris Coombe, the applicant spoke in support of the application

Jonathan James, Senior Conservation/Planning Officer presented the report which recommended that the planning permission be refused for the   erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings, car parking, access and associated works.

The officer stated that the main issues for consideration by the Committee included concerns about the location of the site, in a location that would be wholly reliant on the private motor car for access to everyday facilities, job opportunities and services and would be contrary to the requirements of both local and national policy in directing development to sustainable locations. The development would also have an urbanising effect on the rural character of the area. There are no benefits that would outweigh this harm.

The officer advised that the site is located the site is located in the hamlet of Roundway and comprises the garden of ‘Rose Villa’, an existing semi-detached house set within a very generous plot. The area has a distinct rural
character, with a single track road running through the hamlet and properties set within generous, spacious plots. These enhance the appearance of the area. Access into the site exists at present, off the adjoining highway through Roundway from the south. There is an existing garage associated with the main dwelling at the southern end of the garden and further parking to the rear of the existing dwelling, to the east of the site.

The officer detailed the responses to the consultation from Devizes Town Council, Highways and Archaeology. There were also comments from CPRE and a neighbour.

Further detailed comments on the principle of development, visual impact, impact on heritage assets and highway safety impact/parking were contained in the report. The officer concluded that overall, the application is not sustainable development. On balance it is considered that the proposed development would be contrary to the policies of the Wiltshire Core Strategy (2015) and guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

In response to technical questions asked by the Committee the officer confirmed that a motor vehicle would be necessary to travel to Devizes as there was no particularly safe route to walk, the application site was outside the settlement boundary and classified as a small village, and the proposal could not be considered as infill development as it was not between two properties.  

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

The unitary division member, Cllr Laura Mayes spoke in support of the application. Cllr Mayes confirmed that it would take 20 minutes to walk into Devizes town centre from Roundway, the development was very sustainable and close to employment sites, schools, parks and shops. There had been no objections from village residents. 

So that the Committee had something to debate Cllr Brian Mathew proposed a motion to approve the application. This was seconded by Cllr Kelvin Nash.

A debate followed where Members expressed their support for the application. Comments included references to Core Policy 45, ideal location for development and the type of development needed in villages of this size,

At the conclusion of the debate, it was

Resolved:

That planning permission is granted 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 Block Plan, Dwg No. 1010-01 Rev A

·       Proposed Roof Plan, Dwg No. 1010-03 Rev A

·       Proposed Plans and Elevations, Dwg No. 1010-04 Rev A

·       Car Port, Dwg No. 1010-05 Rev A

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

3.    No development shall commence on site until a scheme for the discharge of surface water from the site (including surface water from the access/driveway), incorporating sustainable drainage details, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall not be first occupied until surface water drainage has been constructed in accordance with the approved scheme.

REASON: To ensure that the development can be adequately drained.

4.    No development shall commence on site until details of the works for the disposal of sewerage including the point of connection to the existing public sewer have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. No dwelling shall be first occupied until the approved sewerage details have been fully implemented in accordance with the approved plans.

REASON: To ensure that the proposal is provided with a satisfactory means of drainage and does not increase the risk of flooding or pose a risk to public health or the environment.

5.    No development shall commence on site until a scheme of hard and soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include:-
 

·       location and current canopy spread of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land;

·       full details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development;

·       a detailed planting specification showing all plant species, supply and planting sizes and planting densities;
• means of enclosure;

·       all hard and soft surfacing materials;

REASON: 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 that enhanced opportunities for biodiversity are provided and in the interests of the character of the area and to ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

6.    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. All hard landscaping shall also be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of any part of the development or in accordance with a programme to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

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

7.    No development shall commence within the area indicated by application PL/2021/08195 until:

(a)  A written programme of archaeological investigation, which should include on-site work and off-site work such as the analysis, publishing and archiving of the results, has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority; and

(b)  The approved programme of archaeological work has been carried out in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: To enable the recording of any matters of archaeological interest.

8.    No development shall commence on site until details of the accesses, car parking and turning areas have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall not be first brought into use until the accesses, car parking and turning areas have all been constructed and laid 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, in the interests of highway safety.

9.    No development above slab level shall take place until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

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

10.Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No.3) (England) Order 2020 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), the garage(s) hereby permitted shall not be converted to habitable accommodation.

REASON: To secure the retention of adequate parking provision, in the interests of highway safety.

Informatives:

11.The applicant should note that the costs of carrying out a [DELETE as appropriate] programme of building recording and/or watching brief and/or archaeological investigation will fall to the applicant or their successors in title. The Local Planning Authority cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred.