Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the second application for consideration. Planning application number 147233 to erect 2no. dwellings with garages including installation of a private driveway on land to the rear of 3a, 3b and 5b Church Street, Hemswell. Following the presentation of the application, the Chairman noted there were three registered speaker and invited the first, Councillor Bryan Mander of Hemswell Parish Council, to address the Committee.

Councillor Mander stated that there had been a significant number of objections from residents, based on the Neighbourhood Plan. He stated that Beck Lane was an important local green space and was considered common land with public rights of access. Under the NPPF, CLLP and Neighbourhood Plan, Councillor Mander considered that anticipated growth levels had been met already, and where development could be permitted with community support, he stated that there was no support for the proposals, rather there was significant objection. He stated that the infrastructure was already struggling and the proposal would only exacerbate existing issues, with the adverse impact outweighing any positives of the proposal. Councillor Mander concluded by stating he believed there were material planning considerations that had been overlooked and requested the Committee reject the application.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Mander and invited the next registered speaker, Mrs Michelle Sheppard, to address the Committee.

Mrs Sheppard explained she was a resident and highlighted the village was in a conservation area. She expressed her shock that there was a plan to build in a garden, despite being contrary to the Neighbourhood Plan. Mrs Sheppard also questioned how the development could be considered as sustainable, when there were no amenities in the area to service additional properties, and growth levels had been reached in Hemswell. Additionally, with regard to the requirement for community support, Mrs Sheppard stated that there had been no attempt to gain local support, she considered that the need for local support had been dismissed. As her final comment, Mrs Sheppard requested the Committee to consider the setting of the listed building, the conservation area, and the negative impact the proposal would have on the area.

The Chairman invited the final speaker, Ward Member Councillor P. Howitt-Cowan to address the Committee.

Councillor Howitt-Cowan stated this was a controversial application and requested the Committee to consider a site visit prior to making a decision, in order to better evaluate the application.

The Chairman invited an Officer response, and it was explained that the CLLP no longer contained growth limits, and the area considered in the application fell outside of the conservation area. He also clarified that the Neighbourhood Plan had been superseded by the strategic policies S1 and S4 of the CLLP, which was adopted after the Neighbourhood Plan.

On inviting comments from the Committee, it was enquired as to how the 20 identified conditions would be managed. Officers confirmed that there was no ongoing monitoring of planning conditions, it would be reliant on members of the public to raise any identified issues. However, it was highlighted that the number of conditions was with the intention of making the proposal acceptable.

A Member of the Committee proposed a site visit, in order to understand the access to the site and the impact on the local area. This was seconded and voted upon. With a majority vote it was

RESOLVED that the application be deferred for a site visit to be held, to afford Members a greater understanding of the site access and impact on the local area.

Note:              Councillor D. Dobbie left the meeting at 7.20pm prior to the consideration of the next application.