Agenda item

Change of Use and Conversion of Four Existing Agricultural Buildings to Class C3 Residential Use Comprising 9 Dwellinghouses, Demolition of Redundant Outbuildings, Provision of Parking and Landscaping and Drainage Infrastructure.

The Eastern Area Team Leader, using a visual presentation with plans and aerial photographs, identified the site and outlined the proposal and relevant planning policies. It was noted that the site fell outside of the Settlement Boundary and within the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape and that such a development wouldn’t normally be permitted in an isolated rural location, however the reuse of derelict buildings was an exception to this policy outlined in the NPPF.

Members were shown the existing site plan and the buildings set to be refurbished were highlighted. The proposed plans were shown and members were provided with indicative visualisations of the appearance of the completed development and the scale and design of the proposed dwellings, which were considered to be in keeping with the agricultural nature of the site. Photographs from around the site were provided, showing the current condition of the agricultural buildings, as well as the views from beyond the site. It was explained that concerns raised by the Parish Council that included visibility from the access junction and flood risk to the highway had been considered by officers but the proposals were deemed acceptable.

Mr Bennett spoke in support of the application as the agent. He noted that the scheme would deliver a cohesive residential community and make good use of a currently derelict site. He also noted that the access road currently already served nearby dwellings, so it would be able to cope with the additional road users.

The Eastern Area Team Leader and Highway Engineers provided the following responses to members questions:

·       Officers recognised that the proposed public amenity space on the development was limited, however due to each dwelling having its own private garden, it was considered that there was sufficient outside space to serve the development.

·       Brise-Soleil would be installed to reduce the visibility of the glazing and reduce light spill.

·       The applicant had provided a thorough analysis of the suitability of the access lane, which conformed to the rural roads criteria.

·       All sections of the road complied with the criteria of requiring less than 200m without a passing place.

·       The roofs would be constructed of interlocking grey tiles and a condition would require submission of materials before approval.

·       Officers would be hesitant to introduce more formalised passing places along the access road as they would change the character of the area, which lies within the National Landscape.

·       There were 19 proposed car parking spaces, with 6 being allocated and the rest unallocated.

·       There was a proposed condition that restricted all external lighting.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application several members had raised concerns they had with the application, which included the lack of amenity space for residents, the potential light pollution from the dwellings and the lack of access to the surrounding countryside. Members agreed to change the wording of the condition for external lighting to ensure it was more robust and add an informative note to the proposal that reflected their discussion about opening access to the surrounding fields to allow residents access to additional outside space.

It was proposed by Cllr Florek and seconded by Cllr Morgan, that the application be granted, with a change to the wording of the lighting condition and an informative note added.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement and Development Management Area Manager East to either:

A)   Grant permission subject to the completion of the legal agreement to secure the necessary affordable housing contribution and the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.

Or

B)   Refuse permission for the reasons set out in the appendix to these minutes if the s106 agreement is not completed by 23 January 2026 or such extended time as agreed by the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement and/or the Development Management Area Manager East.