Agenda item

Proposed Demolition & Conversion of Existing Buildings into New Dwelling & Erection of 5 New Dwellings with Associated Landscaping.

Public Participation

Paul Clifton spoke in objection to the application

Paul Timlett spoke in objection to the application

Nick Culhane (Highways consultant) spoke in support of the application

Richard Harlow (agent) spoke in support of the application

Richard Harris spoke on behalf of Shrewton PC

The Planning Officer, Georgina Wright presented the application for the Proposed Demolition & Conversion of Existing Buildings into New Dwelling & Erection of 5 New Dwellings with Associated Landscaping.

The application was a resubmission of a previous application which had been refused last year. The former application involved five properties, a conversion of an existing dwelling into four with an outbuilding conversion into one dwelling.

The main reason for the previous refusal was on Highways grounds, due to the parking spaces for the dwellings originally being situated opposite and across the busy A360.

The proposal included the replacement of the main building (a former public house, converted to a single dwelling in 2013) with a development of a new terrace of 4 (plots 1 to 4) set slightly further back from the road and further south.

The rear garden of plot 1 would extend up to the public open space beyond the site, which would be similar to the current arrangement.

The conversion of the existing out-building, further south from plot 4, would become Plot 5, a single, 1 bed dwelling

Plots 1 to 5 would have 9 parking spaces and a further 2 visitor spaces provided in a new parking area created adjacent to plot 1 (north) on the same side of the road.

Plot 6 would be across the road and was the only dwelling which would be required to reverse into the road when vehicles left the associated parking.  This is a status quo however given that the existing delling’s parking is situated on the opposite side of the road and doe not have any one site turning either

The application was recommended for approval as set out in the report.

The main issues which had been considered to be material in the determination of this application were listed as, Principle, Character & Design, Neighbouring Amenities, Trees, Highway Safety, Ecology, CIL/S106.

Members of the Committee had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer, of which there were none.

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

Some of the main points included comments around the speed at which vehicles passed along the A360 through the village and that the 30mph speed limit was not obeyed.

That the A360 was too wide for a small village. There was a call for widening of the pathways along the point alongside the site.

The development would mean a requirement for almost 12 cars, from the original 2, not all would have allocated parking.

Replacing one property with 6 was considered as overdevelopment.

Those representing the applicant noted points in support, relating to Highways, the Core Strategy and the Local Plan Policies. It was also noted that the Consultees had shown support for the proposal.

The Parish Council representative stated multiple concerns and objections.

Local Member Cllr Kevin Daley then spoke in objection to the application, noting that despite changes to the revised plans, he felt that the current proposals did not mitigate the concerns of local residents and the Parish Council.

Parking whilst pub was in operation had been rarely used as most visitors to the pub walked and did not require parking.

He drew attention to the 112 comments and 35 letters of objection.

It was stated that the 6 dwellings would have a total 16 bedrooms, in addition the black box and blue recycling bins would take up much of the bin area.

He asked the Committee to refuse the application on the grounds of over-development.

The Highways Officer, Julie Cleve then clarified some points raised during debate, these included that speeding was a separate matter to the planning application and as such was an enforcement matter.  The application had met the visibility required.

The Chairman, Cllr Westmoreland then moved a motion of approval in line with Officer recommendation. This was seconded by Cllr Devine.

The Committee was invited to discuss the application, the main points included comments around although the site was likely to be developed, the current proposals included too many dwellings for the site.

Members discussed whether a smaller development of one or two less dwellings may be more suited.

The A360 through the village had poor visibility at the top of the hill and speeding often occurred along it, although it was noted that as there was already parking across from the pub, there was no greater impact of cars entering the carriageway from parking areas.

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The Parish Council and local resident objections and four pages of comments within the report were also noted.

The Committee then voted on the motion of approval, which was not carried.

Cllr Britton then moved a motion of refusal on the grounds of over-development and design, in that it was cramped and overcrowded. This was seconded by Cllr Hewitt.

The Committee confirmed they had heard and seen all relevant visual materials, and voted on the motion of refusal against Officer

recommendation, with the reasons as stated.

It was:

Resolved:

that application 20/10399/FUL be Refused for the following reasons:

It is considered that the proposed development, by virtue of the proposed plot sizes and detailed design, will result in a cramped form of over development of the site and will thus have a detrimental impact on the character of the area. The proposals are therefore considered to be contrary to the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework (Feb 2019); the National Design Guide 2021; and Wiltshire Core Strategy policy CP57 (Ensuring High Quality Design & Place Shaping)