Agenda item

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) on application P22/S0537/FUL (Erection of replacement dwelling with associated parking and landscaping. Erection of a replacement pool house, machinery store and gates). Variation to reduce height of dwelling and build on ground level rather than setting property down into the ground and variations to the elevations. (As amended by plans received 3 July 2023 to demonstrate how deep the dwelling has been set down in the site and as amended by plans received 10 August 2023).

The committee considered planning application P23/S1610/S73 for the variation of condition 2 (approved plans) on application P22/S0537/FUL (Erection of replacement dwelling with associated parking and landscaping. Erection of a replacement pool house, machinery store and gates). Variation to reduce height of dwelling and build on ground level rather than setting property down into the ground and variations to the elevations. (As amended by plans received 3 July 2023 to demonstrate how deep the dwelling has been set down in the site and as amended by plans received 10 August 2023), on land at Grove Hill Farm, Manor Road, Towersey.  

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 the meeting. 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application was brought to the committee due to the objection of Towersey Parish Council.

The planning officer informed the committee that the proposal sought planning permission under Section 73 to vary permission on the approved application at Grove Hill Farm. He noted that the permission was granted in June 2022 and the variation itself sought to build the replacement dwelling on the existing ground rather than building it sunken down. Therefore, the planning officer highlighted to members that the proposed dwelling would be one metre higher than the previously approved dwelling.

A previous application was heard by the committee in February 2023 and was refused based on the proposals visual impact and its harm to the surrounding landscape. The planning officer informed members that the current application amounted to a 30cm reduction in height from that refused scheme. Based on this, the planning officer believed that the reasons for refusal were addressed as there was a material reduction on the proposals impact to the surrounding landscape. In addition, the landscape officer had no objection subject to a landscaping scheme.

Overall, whilst the proposal was one metre taller than the already approved plans, it was not believed that it would have an adverse impact on the landscape, something aided by the landscaping plan. For these reasons, the planning officer recommended that the application be approved.

Gregory Lismore spoke on behalf of Towersey Parish Council objecting to the application. 

Ciro Paradiso, the applicant, spoke in support of the application. 

The committee asked about the data that the landscaping officer was using and the planning officer clarified that their comments on the application were using the most recent plans, although he could not comment on what data set they had used.

Members inquired into the distance between the proposal and the nearest dwelling, and the planning officer confirmed that it was Penn Farm, due east of the site, which was approximately 650 metres away.

On a question about the proposed landscaping, the planning officer confirmed that the growth of the planting would be sufficient to assimilate the building into the landscape and the response satisfied the committee.

The committee then discussed the height of the dwelling in relation to the surrounding area but were satisfied when examining the photographs of the area and the proposed site.

The committee noted that the site was at a distance away from the village and the closest dwellings. They also agreed that it would not be out of keeping with the existing buildings in the area and that the proposed landscaping scheme was sufficient to assimilate the building into the landscape. For these reasons the committee agreed to approve the application subject to conditions

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was carried on being put to the vote. 

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P23/S1610/S73, subject to the following conditions:

1. Development to be implemented in accordance with approved plans

2. Development to be implemented in accordance with materials specified on plan

3. Implement wildlife protection/measures as previously agreed by planning permission P22/S0537/FUL

4. Implement contaminated land measures as previously agreed by application P22/S2427/DIS

5. Implement drainage measures as previously agreed by application P22/S2427/DIS

6. Requirement to report and deal with any unsuspected contamination found on site

7. To implement development strictly in accordance with measures set out within approved Energy Statement

8. Need to provide Electric Vehicles Charging Point(s) on site

9. Any external lighting scheme to be first submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority

10. Landscaping of the site in strict accordance with submitted Landscaping Plan