Outline application for the erection of detached cottage and garage to include means of access.

The Consultant Planner introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and elevations. 

Members had undertaken a site visit that morning and had viewed the site that morning and had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

Mr M Jones, representing local residents, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor D Hedgley, representing Corfton Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15) Councillor Cecilia Motley, local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the room, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During her statement, the following points were raised:

·         Corfton has unfairly been selected for more and more open market development;

·         There is an underlying need for affordable housing for local families.  It is becoming impossible for local families to afford housing in places such as Corfton;

·         The scheme is neither a conversion or infilling and sits within the AONB;

·         The proposed access out onto Hollow Lane, even with a large visibility splay, will have a narrow turning circle and will involve the destruction of part of the hedge of the ancient hollow way serving Corfton Bache; and

·         Need to take into account the problems Corfton is experiencing because of the concentration of open market housing in the area.

Mr P Middleton, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers. 

RESOLVED:

That, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The proposed siting and access to the development would involve the destruction and removal of part of the historic stone wall and hedgerow, significantly harming and changing the character of the adjacent lane and the surrounding area and would not therefore serve to conserve the landscape and scenic beauty of the Area of Outstanding  Natural Beauty.  In addition the proposal is not considered to constitute an infill plot as it would be development eroding the gap between Corfton and Corfton Bache.  The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Shropshire Core Strategy policies CS4, CS6 and CS17; Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev) Plan policies MD2 and MD12 and paragraphs 127, 170 and 172 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); and it would not satisfy the environmental objective of sustainable development set out in the NPPF.  

2.    Whilst it is acknowledged that Corfton is part of a Community Cluster in the adopted Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev) Plan where open market housing development by infilling is acceptable on suitable sites.  However, this scheme for an open market dwelling would add to the number of permissions already granted within Corfton and would further increase the number of permitted dwellings above the cluster guideline, with the result that the settlement having a disproportionate concentration of new housing in the cluster group, to the detriment of the character of the area..  Accordingly, a further open market dwelling in this location would conflict with Shropshire Core Strategy Policies CS4 and SAMDev Policies MD1, MD3 and Policy S7.2(ii) of the Shropshire Council Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan.

(At this juncture, the meeting adjourned at 03:10 pm and reconvened at 03:16 pm.)