Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought full planning permission for the erection of one dwelling with a detached garage, which was a resubmission of application 19/00131/FUL. Members considered the presentation from the Business Manager – Planning Development, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

A schedule of communication was tabled at the meeting which detailed correspondence received after the Agenda was published from a resident of Yew Tree Way.  An additional late representation was presented to the Committee from the Agent-Aspbury Planning.

Councillor D Armstrong on behalf of Coddington Parish Council spoke against the application in accordance with the views of Coddington Parish Council, as contained within the report.

Members considered the application and the local Ward Member commented that any building on this site was unacceptable as development would endanger the woodland and street scene and set a precedent for future development.  The woodland had to date been chipped away and some trees already removed.  Other Members commented that if the site had been suitable for development it would have been developed when the cul-de-sac was built.  It was further commented that this was a special yew tree wood there being only two of this kind in the country.  Trees had already been felled without permission.  Concern was also raised regarding the garden area being maintained as a woodland, which would be hard to maintain and monitor.  It was suggested that if Committee were mindful to approve planning permission a small picket fence could be erected to separate the garden area in order to protect the woodland. Other Members commented that the application had been reduced from two dwellings to one and was a generous site in comparison with surrounding properties.  Only a small corner of the woodland would be lost, which included one maple tree and a group of trees with low value.

The Business Manager – Planning Development informed Committee that the Council were committed to protecting the trees, the proposed dwelling had an identified garden area and purchasers would be aware of the legal requirement regarding the protected woodland.  The garden and woodland could be separated by a small picket fence subject to the roots of the trees not being damaged.

A vote to approve planning permission was taken, with a condition that an appropriate fence be erected to maintain the area of garden and woodland, which was lost with 4 votes For and 9 votes Against.

(Councillor M Brock was not present for the entire presentation and took no part in the vote).

AGREED      (with 11 votes For and 2 votes Against) that contrary to Officer                                 recommendation Planning Permission be refused on the following                       grounds: the site being inappropriate for development due to the loss and               adverse impact on woodland/TPO, the impact on street scene and adverse              impact on the amenity of the future occupants. 

In accordance with paragraph 12.5 of the Planning Protocol, as the motion was against officer recommendation, a recorded vote was taken.