Agenda item

To determine the application.

Alison Hoffman presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Gareth Edwards, the agent.  Mr Edwards stated that the application has the support of the Parish Council and was previously considered by the committee last year when members were minded to approve, subject to changes.  He made the point that the changes discussed at that time have been made, which were to move the dwelling so it was in line with the neighbouring properties and locating the garage doors to the side from the front to maintain windows to the front elevation, which is consistent with the majority of properties in Guyhirn. 

Mr Edwards made the point that the site is in Flood Zone 3, but it is no different to other developments within the village, and a sequential and exceptions test has been carried out as part of the submission, which demonstrated there were no other reasonable sites at lower risk of flooding available and, therefore, the sequential test has been met. He expressed the view that the site is in a continual line of development extending throughout the village on this side of the road as the majority of Guyhirn can only be developed on one side due to the river and its banks, sites like this are extremely valuable to provide dwellings to sustain facilities in the village. 

Mr Edwards feels that Guyhirn has a mixture of dwelling types and this section of the village is no different, with different heights, sizes and styles, and whilst this proposal is larger than neighbouring properties it is consistent, in his view, with other dwellings being built in the village and may be considered aspirational.  He stated that as the applicant already owns the land and uses it as his extended garden to the host property and feels surely a mixture of dwelling types should be encouraged.

Mr Edwards expressed the opinion that Guyhirn has seen a modest amount of growth in recent years and needs more development to support amenities in the village and a diverse housing mix is critical not only to Guyhirn but the District as a whole.  He feels that the proposal provides the opportunity for a large family dwelling on a very large plot in line with the existing dwellings, with an existing access onto High Road and the host property utilising a new access which has the support of the Highways Department.

Mr Edwards expressed the opinion that the proposal makes the best use of the land, will finish off this part of the village and add a diverse housing mix addressing the points raised at the previous Planning Committee.  He asked members to support the application with the conditions they deem appropriate.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Benney stated that he was at the committee when the previous application was refused as it came forward of the building line with the rest of the road and feels that the agent has taken the advice provided at that time on board.  He feels that there is a mix of houses in the area and the proposal might be bigger than some of the other houses but it sits on a massive plot.  Councillor Benney agreed that it is an aspirational house, which will make a good home, and feels that LP16 as a reason for refusal is subjective.  He reiterated that the site is a large plot, it needs a large house and, in his view, it is in keeping with the rest of the street scene which is a mix of dwellings.

·         Councillor Connor agreed with the comments of Councillor Benney, with the applicant/agent coming back with a redesigned scheme that the committee asked them to do.

·         Councillor Murphy stated that he cannot personally see anything wrong with this application, which has the Parish Council’s support and no objections from the various consultees.

Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Skoulding and agreed that the application be APPROVED against officer’s recommendation, with delegated authority being given to officers to apply appropriate conditions.

Members do not support officer’s recommendation of refusal of planning permission as they feel that the proposal does comply with Policy LP16 of the Fenland Local Plan as it will make a positive contribution to the character of the area and street scene and is in keeping with the mixture of dwellings in the area.

(Councillor Booth registered, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he is a member of Wisbech St Mary Parish Council and was in attendance when this application was discussed, and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon)