Agenda item

Erection of a single dwelling. Access derived from the existing drive which serves Aston Cottage. Two parking spaces will be provided, together with a turning area, to enable vehicles to leave the site in forward gear.(Amended plans received 10th July 2020, revising position of proposed dwelling, reducing footprint, retaining section of frontage hedging and amending dormer window detail, Further Amended plans received 27 July 2020).

Cllr. Ian White, a local ward councillor, stood down from the committee for consideration of this item.

The committee considered application P20/S1180/FUL for the erection of a single dwelling. Access derived from the existing drive which serves Aston Cottage. Two parking spaces will be provided, together with a turning area, to enable vehicles to leave the site in forward gear (amended plans received 10th July 2020, revising position of proposed dwelling, reducing footprint, retaining section of frontage hedging and amending dormer window detail, Further Amended plans received 27 July 2020) at Aston Cottage, 18 Church Lane, Aston Rowant.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

The planning officer reported that the application site lay within the Aston Rowan Conservation Area, with proximity to a number of Grade II listed buildings and was therefore located in a sensitive part of the village, and heritage considerations were key. The recommended conditions provided for local vernacular materials and the design of the building took cues from the listed buildings.  The land did not fall within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There were trees within the site which were protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).

Cllr. Matthew Day, a representative of Aston Rowant Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. The democratic services officer reported that Mr. Day’s statement on behalf of the parish council had been sent to the committee prior to the meeting.

Mr. Mike Smith, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Andrew Knight, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Andrew Bateson, the agent, spoke in support of the application. The democratic services officer reported that Mr. Bateson’s statement had been sent to the committee prior to the meeting.

Cllr. Ian White, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

In response to a question from the committee regarding preservation of the archaeological features of the site, the planning officer reported that the site lay within an area of archaeological interest and it was likely that the development would encounter archaeological deposits.  A Written Scheme of Investigation had been submitted and should consent be granted, an archaeological watching brief would be maintained during the period of construction.  Also, in response to a question, the planning officer reported that a construction management plan would not apply to a site such as this, as it was of a relatively small scale.

The committee requested information regarding privacy of neighbouring properties, notably the Malt House, whose occupants had objected and the planning officer reported that the neighbours’ windows were beyond the 10 meter limit defined in the council’s adopted design guide.

The committee was concerned at the mass and scale of the proposal within the conservation area, being proximate to several listed buildings, which would be out of character with the local area and would be harmful to it.

A motion moved and seconded, to refuse planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to refuse planning permission for application P20/S1180/FUL for the following reasons:

1.    the development by virtue of its excessive scale, bulk, massing and inappropriate design would appear visually incongruous within the context of the surrounding area;

2.    the development would fail to conserve or enhance the special historic character and appearance of the surrounding Aston Rowant Conservation Area and it would harm the setting of both the adjacent Grade II listed buildings and the Grade II* listed Church of St. Peter & St. Paul.