Agenda item

Demolition of existing farmhouse buildings and erection of a new 5-bedroom dwelling, plant building and barn, associated access and landscaping. Land at Uppertown Farm, Cullumbell Lane, Uppertown.

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that a Planning Application had been submitted for the demolition of an existing Farmhouse building the erection of a new 5-bedroom House, along with a Plant (machinery) Building and a Barn at land at Uppertown Farm, Collumbell Lane, Uppertown. The Application had been referred to Committee by local Ward Member, Councillor W Armitage, who had raised issues about it.

Planning Committee was recommended to refuse the Application. The report to Committee explained the reasons for this.

Officers contended that the Application would erode the character of the area. They pointed out that the site was located in the Wooded Slopes and Valleys Landscape Character Area and lay within the Primary Area of Multiple Environmental Sensitivity (AMES). Officers concluded that as the scale of the building would be larger than which it would replace, the Development would damage the Area of Environmental Sensitivity in which it would be located. As such, the Application would be contrary to both Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan policies, which seek to prevent unacceptable developments and so should be rejected.

Before Committee considered the Application, it heard from W Marshall, the Agent for the Application, and R Walker, who spoke in support of the Application. No one spoke against it.

Committee considered the application. It took into account the principle of development and the site’s location within the countryside and within a primary Area of Multiple Environmental Sensitivity (AMES), comprising the most attractive rural areas with the District. It considered the relevant Planning Policies.  These included Local Plan Policy SS9, on the requirement for replacement buildings to be for the same use as the previous building and not significantly large than those that they are to replace, Policy SDC3, on the need for new developments not to harm the character, quality and distinctiveness of the landscape and the policy requirement for new developments in Areas of Multiple Environmental Sensitivity to contribute to the conservation, enhancement or restoration of the local landscape.

Members discussed the application. They considered whether the proposed new 5-bedroom dwelling would be significantly larger and taller than the existing structure and how the overall ‘footprint’ of the development compared to the existing buildings. They reflected on what impact the new structure would have on the environment. Members discussed the access arrangements to the site and the purposes of the ancillary Barn and Plant Buildings. Some Members felt that the Application would improve the environment by replacing the existing structures which were in a poor state of repair with higher quality structures and that the development would be in line with the appropriate Planning Policies.

At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor W Armitage and Councillor H Liggett moved and seconded a Motion to approve the Application, contrary to officer recommendations. The Motion was put to the vote and was approved

RESOLVED

That the application be conditionally approved, contrary to officer recommendations

That the final wording of the conditions be delegated to the Planning Manager (Development Management) in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council.

Reasons

That the Application accords with the relevant local and national Planning Policies, including Local Plan Policy SS9. It would be an acceptable development that would respect the form, scale, and character of the landscape. It would accord with Policy SDC3, contributing to the enhancement of the local landscape by replacing derelict and semi derelict buildings with a high-quality new dwelling.