Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER    

Conversion of existing dwelling "The Lodge" into 6 apartments (5 x 2-bed and 1 x 3-bed). Erection of four terraced 2-bed dwellings and five detached dwellings (1 x 5-bed, 2 x 4-bed and 2 x 2-bed) including landscaping and parking following demolition of existing buildings. Alteration of existing access and creation of additional access

RESOLVED: That application 22/02675/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 14 minutes 48 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer provided an update that the Applicant was actually Mr J Grint and not Clear Architects as stated in the report.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 22/02675/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Amy Allen

·       Councillor Louise Peace

·       Councillor Bryony May

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:

·       The northern access would remain as a gated entrance.

·       The southern access point would lead to the land gifted to the Parish Council and to the 4, two bedroom dwellings.

·       There would be 15 dwellings in total.

·       The application met the affordable housing allocation, as the dwellings in the Grange were conversions and not new builds.

·       The four affordable houses would be sited facing inwards and not towards the street.

·       Replacement trees would be planted.

The Chair invited Davina Malcolm to speak against the application. Ms Malcolm thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       The development would cause the destruction of wood land.

·       There were no guarantees that the gifted land would not be developed on, at a later date.

·       The site was on green belt land and was outside the village boundary.

·       The site was in the conservation area of Kimpton Bottom and was an area of principle historic interest with wooded boundaries.

·       The development of the four houses was considered as infill building but would be hidden from the street by trees.

·       The removal of woodland negated the conservation and green belt status.

·       Kimpton needed affordable homes, the application stated all the homes were exceptional, but the 4 affordable homes were not exceptional.

·       The deciduous trees and wildlife should be protected, the new dwellings would cause traffic and light pollution.

·       There would be a loss of over 50 trees and the associated wildlife would be displaced, it would take decades to replenish these losses.

·       There would be water build up from the removal of the trees.

·       The site would have a 51.3% biodiversity net gain, however who would look after the new woodlands.

·       The village was surrounded by farms and footpaths, it did not have a need, nor funding to maintain any extra gifted land.

The Chair thanked Ms Malcolm for her presentation and invited Councillor Ralph Muncer to speak against the application. Councillor Muncer thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       The Grange conversion and the building of the lake homes would give a new lease of life to the site.

·       The siting of the four affordable homes was not in keeping with the rest of the development. These dwellings were situated in green belt and conservation land and were outside the settlement boundary. The siting of these dwellings would cause harm to the area.

·       Very special circumstances had not been demonstrated to build in this area as specified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89