Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr Tony Kernon, agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Planning Officer introduced a report which recommended that planning permission be refused. Key issues were stated to include the principle of development of an additional agricultural dwelling, highways considerations and impact upon amenity and the immediate area. It was stated that officers considered that the existing dwellings on the site meant that an additional one was not justified as essential.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the relevant local and national policies for the application.

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

The Local Member, Councillor Christopher Newbury, then spoke in support of the application.

A debate followed where the need for an additional dwelling was considered, taking into account the difficulties experienced in retaining a worker without a dwelling on site, as well as the possibility of reorganizing the current dwelling arrangements. The sustainability of the expansion of the business to justify permitting an addition dwelling was raised, along with the modest nature of the proposed design.

After debate, it was,

Resolved:

To GRANT planning permission 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 plan:

113 Drawing 1 received on 1st July 2013.

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

3)    The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly working, or last working, in the locality in agriculture or in forestry, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependants.

REASON: The site is in an area where residential development for purposes other than the essential needs of agriculture or forestry is not normally permitted and this permission is only granted on the basis of an essential need for a new dwelling/residential accommodation in this location having been demonstrated.

4)    No development shall commence on site 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.

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:

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

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

c) a detailed planting specification showing all plant species, supply and planting sizes and planting densities;

d) finished levels and contours;

e) means of enclosure;

f) car park layouts;

g) other vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation areas;

h) all hard and soft surfacing materials;

i) programme of implementation

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

It was requested that it be recorded that the decision to grant planning permission was approved unanimously.