Agenda item

Proposed new 4-bedroom residential dwelling, built within the garden of Oak House Cottage. New single storey, single car, oak frame car port (as amended by plans 14 October 2020 to reduce width of property and reduce glazing along south elevation) (as amended by plans received 2 March 2021 to move property further away from trees marginally) (as supported by Arboricultural Information received 2021-03-02) (as amplified by information received 2021-05-19).

The committee considered planning application P20/S1991/FUL for a new 4 bedroom residential dwelling, built within the garden of Oak house Cottage. New single storey, single car, oak frame car port (as amended by plans 14 October 2020 to reduce width of property and reduce glazing along south elevation) (as amended by plans received 2 March 2021 to move property further away from trees marginally) (as supported by Arboricultural Information received 2021-03-02) (as amplified by information received 2021-05-19), on Land next to Oak House Cottage, track leading to Box Cottage Common Lane, Binfield Heath.

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 this application had been deferred at the 1 September meeting, in order to facilitate a site visit by members of the committee. The proposal represented an infill application, was considered to preserve the character of the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and protect and preserve landscape features. It was acknowledged that the proposed dwelling was larger and higher than Oak House Cottage and could overshadow and dominate it. Windows of the new house would face directly into Gosbrook Cottage at first floor level. The dwelling would maintain noticeable visual gaps between Gosbrook Cottage and Oak House Cottage, maintaining the spacious character of the area. There were no technical objections to the application. In conclusion, the planning officer advised the committee that the proposed development would be acceptable in principle and would not result in any adverse impacts upon the character and appearance of the area, the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB, the amenity of neighbours, the protection and retention of important landscape features and ecology, and would not harm the safety of the highway network. 

Councillor Elisabeth Ransom, a representative of Binfield Heath Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. A statement by Councillor Ransom, on behalf of Binfield Heath Parish Council had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer some days prior to the meeting.

Mr. Roger Murray-Leach, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Christopher Morgan a local resident, spoke objecting to the application. A statement by Mr. Morgan had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer some days prior to the meeting.

Mr. Robert Kennedy, the agent, spoke in support of the application. A

statement by Mr. Kennedy had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer some days prior to the meeting.

In response to a question regarding the status of the track leading to the site, the planning officer confirmed that this was a private road and that for the purposes of planning consent, an infill proposal did not necessarily have to be on the public highway. In response to a question regarding the size of gap possibly being too wide to constitute infill, the planning officer reported that infill was defined as the filling of a small gap in an otherwise continuous built-up frontage, or on other sites within settlements where the site was closely surrounded by buildings.  Council policy H16 did not specify the size of sites to be considered as infill, but did state that the scale of infill should be appropriate to its location.

The senior planning officer advised the committee that infill was a considered judgement taken by officers, who had concluded that this was suitable for such a spacious area. The design of the proposed development complied with the AONB design guide and the secretary of state’s design guide.

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

The committee concluded that there were no planning reasons to refuse permission and that therefore consent should be given.

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

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P20/S1991/FUL, subject to the following conditions;

          1. Development to commence within three years of the date of          permission.

          2. Development to be implemented in accordance with approved plans.

          3. Schedule of all materials to be used in the external construction of         the development to be agreed.

          4. Parking & Manoeuvring Areas retained as shown on plan.

          5.  Details of landscaping (including hard surfacing and boundary      treatment) to be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA

          6. Tree Protection details to be submitted to and approved in writing by        the LPA.

          7. Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy to be submitted to       and approved in writing by the LPA.

          8. A schedule of all external lighting to be to be submitted to and     approved in writing by the LPA.

          9. Surface water drainage details to be submitted to and approved in   writing by the LPA.

          10. Foul drainage details to be submitted to and approved in writing by        the LPA.

          11. Energy Statement – report to be submitted to and approved in   writing by the LPA.

          12. Glass coating for external glazing to be submitted to and approved          in writing by the LPA.

Highway informative:

- It is an offence under Section 151 of the Highways Act 1980 for vehicles leaving the development site to carry mud onto the public highway. Facilities should therefore be provided and used on the development site for cleaning the wheels of vehicles before they leave the site.

- No vehicles associated with the building operations on the development site shall be parked on the public highway so as to cause an obstruction. Any such obstruction is an offence under Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980.