Agenda item

Demolition of an outbuilding and Conversion and extension of an outbuilding to create a dwelling.

Cllr Simon Christopher left the room and did not take part in the debate or vote on this application.  The Vice-Chairman was in the Chair for this item.

The Committee considered dual applications for the demolition of an outbuilding and the conversion and extension of an outbuilding to create a dwelling.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the applications and members were shown an aerial view of Loders, the application site being in the garden area of the Barn House; a map of the site in the context of other backland developments alongside the river; the Loders Neighbourhood Plan DDB and various site, block, elevation and floor plans.  Photographs were also shown of the Barn House and surrounding area.

The key planning points were outlined including the principle of development, scale and design, impact on character and appearance, impact on amenity, impact on landscape and heritage assets, access and parking.

Diane May, a resident of Loders, addressed the Committee, commenting on the status of the Loders Neighbourhood Plan alongside the Local Plan, Policy SUS3 in relation to the adaptation and reuse of existing buildings and the 5 year housing supply.

KevinButler addressed the Committee in support of the application and drew attention to the potential to reuse the building offered by the Neighbourhood Plan, reduction in scale of the proposal and no concerns arising following the commission of an ecology report.

Mrs Michelle Warrington, Chairman of Loders Parish Council, spoke in objection of the application that was outside the DDB and against Local Plan Policy SUS 3.  The proposal involved a substantial rebuild and extension of the existing building and she provided measurements to support this view.  She acknowledged that this application had a smaller footprint, however, the proposed roof height was only 6 cm lower and would be a substantial rebuild. 

Simon Ludgate, the Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application, saying that the scheme was in line with policy and that the principle of residential use had been established. The design of the pitch roof would not impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties and the site was not in a flood  zone.  The scheme was much smaller and would provide an additional dwelling and contribute to the 5 year housing land supply.

The Senior Planning Officer advised that Local Plan Policy SUS 3 did not hold as much weight due to the lack of a 5 year housing land supply and  that the Loders Neighbourhood Plan was out of date with regard to housing.

The application was for a modest extension very close to the DDB and therefore considered a sustainable location.  The benefits of the scheme outweighed the very small amount of harm due to the site being outside the DDB. 

Members considered the new scheme to be acceptable.

Proposed by Cllr Louie O'Leary, seconded by Cllr Susan Cocking. 

WD/D/19/00295

Decision: That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

Proposed by Cllr Louie O'Leary, seconded by Cllr Susan Cocking.

WD/D/19/002296/LBC

Decision: That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.