Agenda item

Erection of two 5-bedroom dwellings and two-bay carports and formation of two individual accesses (reduction in width and eaves height of Plot 1, lowering of ridge height of both dwellings, reduction in size of both carports, carport to Plot 1 moved away from Harvest barn boundary and retention of front boundary hedging either side of accesses as shown on amended plans received 18th July 2016 and additional services plan received 8th September 2016).

Jeanette Matelot stepped down from the committee for this item as she was one of the ward members.

The committee considered the report on application P16/S1470/FUL for the erection of two 5-bedroom dwellings and two-bay carports and formation of two individual accesses (reduction in width and eaves height of Plot 1, lowering of ridge height of both dwellings, reduction in size of both carports, carport to Plot 1 moved away from Harvest barn boundary and retention of front boundary hedging either side of accesses as shown on amended plans received 18 July 2016 and additional services plan received 8 September 2016); on land at Elm Tree Farm, Moreton.

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.

Graham Hunt, the town clerk, spoke on behalf of Thame Town Council, objecting to the application; his points included the following:

·           The town council believed that the proposed application was in contravention of some of the district council’s policies, either in practice or in principle.

·           It was in conflict with Thame’s adopted neighbourhood plan, which includes the parish of Moreton and that insufficient weight has been given to the National Planning Policy Framework’s statement on the weight which should be given to neighbourhood plans.

The committee asked questions of clarification of the speaker about the detail of the neighbourhood plan as it applies to Moreton

Steven Kerry, the applicant’s agent, spoke on behalf of the application.

·           He believed that it was in keeping with the local area and is policy compliant and compliant with the neighbourhood plan.

Jeanette Matelot, one of the ward councillors, spoke in objection to the application.

·           Large houses are not relevant to the needs for the housing stock in Moreton. They need smaller, affordable units.

It was proposed and seconded to support the officer’s recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The committee debated the proposal.

·           Concerns were raised about the possible contravention of the neighbourhood plan.

Summation.

·           The application was a good design, and not in contravention of the neighbourhood plan.

On being put to the vote, this motion was carried.

RESOLVED

To grant planning permission, subject to the following conditions:

1.      Commencement three years - full planning permission.

2.     Planning condition listing the approved drawings.

3.     Details of levels prior to commencement.

4.     Schedule of materials required prior to commencement.

5.     Withdrawal of permitted development rights (extensions and outbuildings).

6.     New vehicular access implementation in accordance with approved details.

7.     Vision splay details prior to commencement.

8.     No surface water drainage to highway.

9.     Parking and manoeuvring areas retained as on plan.

10.  Vehicular access gates to be set back a minimum of 5 metres from highway.

11.  Construction traffic management plan prior to commencement.

12.  Details of landscaping (including hardsurfacing and boundary treatment) prior to commencement.

13.  No garage conversion into accommodation.

14.  Details of tree protection (general) prior to commencement.

15.  Details of surface water drainage works prior to occupation.