Agenda item

Site Visit: 1.40pm

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought the proposed erection of two dwellings.

A site visit had taken place prior to the commencement of the Planning Committee for Members, for the following reasons:

(i)                 There were particular site factors which were significant in terms of the weight attached to them relative to other factors if they would be difficult to assess in the absence of a site inspection; and

(iii)       The impact of the proposed development was difficult to visualise.

A Schedule of Communication was circulated prior to the meeting which detailed correspondence received from two neighbours and the Agent. 

The Senior Planning Officer also proposed a minor modification to Condition 02 to amend the plans to omit the ground source heat pump from the parking area, if the Planning Committee was minded to approve the application.

Members considered the presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

Mr  R Wood, local resident spoke in objection to the application.

Mr L Wiltshire, representing Lowdham Parish Council spoke in objection to the application.

Mr D Wainwright, the applicant spoke in support of the application.

Councillor T Wendels, Local Ward Member for Lowdham spoke in objection to the application.

Members considered the application, and it was commented that the proposed two storey properties would be overbearing on the street scene.  Other Members commented that the proposed development was for two small, two bed room semi-detached properties and not family homes.  The premises below the proposed site were commercial dwellings with customers visiting via car all day, it was felt that the access/egress could not be argued for the small amount of additional traffic that would be generated from the two properties.  The visibility would also be improved by the removal of part of the wall, should the committee be minded to approve the application.  A Member commented that the report indicated the shortfall of provision for two-bedroom houses in Lowdham, which would meet the small identified need.  Concern was raised regarding the site increasing the chance of flooding due to the removal of the grassed area.  It was suggested that the flood alleviation plan would be in place in the next year and it was unlikely that the proposed houses would be built in that timescale, it was therefore considered minimal risk.  A Member commented that this scheme would allow two local residents to remain in the village and prevent the loss of young local people leaving the village.

In answer to a Member question regarding the Highway objection, it was confirmed that there would not be a loss of commercial space in the car park.  Car parking proposed was in line with SPDs and guidance.  There would be some improvement with visibility with the removal of part of the wall.  The turning area had been satisfied, from a highway safety point of view and was adequate in terms of the planning application.  There was still an objection regarding pedestrian highway splays, however given that there was not a significant intensification of use the recommendation was approval.

Councillor S Saddington having entered the meeting during the Officer presentation took no part in the debate or vote.

AGREED                       (with 7 votes For and 5 votes Against) that Planning Permission                              be approved, subject to:

(i)                  the conditions contained within the report, subject to the amendment of Condition 02 to amend the plans regarding the removal of the ground source heat pump from the parking area; and

(ii)                the signing of a Unilateral Undertaking to secure the dwellings as self-build.