Decision details

The Committee considered an application for the erection of 4 dwellings on a site within the Southwell area of Portland.

Members were shown a presentation including an aerial photo, photos of the application site (showing groundworks previously completed to allow for a previously consented scheme for 2 houses), site plan and street scene elevations.

The main issues were highlighted including:-

·        Principle of development –within DDB; extant consent on the site for residential development (2 units); presumption in favour of sustainable development.

·        Scale, design and impact on character and appearance – scale and design similar to the neighbouring properties fronting Rip Croft; Scheme amended to avoid over dominance in the street scene; density in line with area; smaller dwellings supported in Neighbourhood Plan (policy PORT/HS1 Housing Mix)

·        Amenity – dwellings meet national space standards; adequate external amenity space provided; scheme would avoid overlooking and overbearing or loss of light to neighbours

·        Access and parking – off street for all units; no highways objection; private gardens would allow for cycle parking

Following the presentation, the Technical Support Officer read out a statement submitted by the Agent which is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

In response to Members’ concerns about the relatively small size of the houses and amenity space, the Senior Planning Officer advised that each property would have a private garden with a secondary access that was considered to be appropriate for the size of the dwellings.  He confirmed that the size of the homes was close to minimum national space standards; that there would be no impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties and that the land originally had no formal status other than incidental green space.

Whilst some members remained concerned that this was overdevelopment of the site, other members considered that smaller homes were need for starter homes or people wishing to downsize and was a good use of the land.

Proposed by Cllr Nick Ireland, seconded by Cllr Dave Bolwell.

The Committee was minded to grant the application, subject to planning conditions.

The Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement, having considered the representations and the officer’s presentation and having taken into account the views of the committee, made the following decision under delegated authority.

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