Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services

 Considered:-

The Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for outline permission with all matters reserved for 12 no dwellings using previously approved plans at Land at Blewhouse Lane, Finghall for Mr and Mrs Blackburn.

Sue Sweet spoke objecting to the application.

Parish Councillor Dawn Gelder submitted a written statement on behalf of Constable Burton and Finghall Parish Council objecting to the application, which due to exceptional circumstances was read by the Democratic Services Officer.

Councillor Karin Sedgwick submitted a written statement as Division Member in support of the application, which was read by the Democratic Services Officer.

During consideration of the above application, the Committee discussed the following issues:-

·         The lack of technical reports submitted with the application meaning statutory consultees have been unable to accurately comment on the proposal.

The decision:-

That planning permission be REFUSED.

Voting Record

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried unanimously.

Reason:-

The Committee agreed with the reasons for refusal put forward by the Planning Officer as stated below:-

1. The application is a major development seeking permission for more than 9 dwellings on a site of over 0.5ha. Surface water flooding has occurred at the south of the application site at the indicative access point. No Flood Risk Assessment or indicative drainage strategy has been submitted and it is therefore not possible to assess whether the new residents would be at risk of flooding or whether the development would increase flood risk off site. The application therefore conflicts with the requirements of Policy CP3 of the Richmondshire Local Plan 2012-2028 Core Strategy; and paragraph 173 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023.

2. The application seeks the development of a 0.93ha field bounded by hedges and trees, with a beck running through the southern most part of the site and therefore has several natural features which are likely to provide habitats for wildlife and potentially protected species. No Ecological Assessment, Protected Species Survey(s) or Biodiversity Reports have been submitted and therefore there is insufficient information to ascertain any locally significant negative impacts to wildlife, protected species or biodiversity. This conflicts with the requirements of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017; Policy CP4 of the Richmondshire Local Plan 2012-2028 Core Strategy; and paragraph 180 and 186 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023.

3. The application site is boarded by trees and hedges and no information has been provided to determine the quality if these features together with whether they can be retained or need to be removed to facilitate the proposal. This conflicts with the requirements of Policy CP4 of the Richmondshire Local Plan 2012-2028 Core Strategy; and paragraphs 180 and 186 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023.

4. The application is a major development seeking permission for more than 9 dwellings on a site of over 0.5ha and no affordable housing has been proposed. This conflicts with the requirements of Policy CP6 of the Richmondshire Local Plan 2012-2028 Core Strategy which requires 40% of the units to be affordable; and paragraph 66 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023.

5.  The application is a major development seeking permission for more than 9 dwellings on a site of over 0.5ha and no public open space is proposed. This conflicts with the requirements of Policy CP11 of the Richmondshire Local Plan 2012-2028 Core Strategy which requires public open space provision in line with the recommendations of Fields in Trust Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play Beyond the Six Acre Standard England 2020. The development also conflicts with paragraph 8 of the Nation Planning Policy Framework 2023.