Agenda item

Outline application for 1no. dwelling with all matters reserved - Land At Grid Reference 241658 113849, Newton St Petrock, Devon.

The following Councillors attended the site visit:

 

Councillors: D Bushby, P Hames, C Leather, R Lock, W Lo-Vel, C Wheatley and J Whittaker. Councillor P Pennington was sent the recording of the meeting. 

 

Application No. 1/1146/2023/OUT – Outline application for 1 no. dwelling with all matters reserved – Land At Grid Reference 241658 113849, Newton St Petrock

 

Interests – none were declared.

 

Officer recommendations – Refuse

 

The planning application had been called into Plans Committee by Councillor C Cottle-Hunkin, Ward Member for Shebbear and Langtree for the following reasons:

 

I am calling in the decision in support of this application because it is for a local need. The young couple grew up in Newton St Petrock and would now like to raise their family in the same community, around a support network of other family members.

 

The location of the proposed dwelling is not in the open countryside but would fit in well adjoining a small settlement of properties at Newton St Petrock Cross. There is also a small derelict shed currently on the site which would be removed as part of the application.

 

The location is also perfect for them in terms of school transport as it is on the pre-existing bus routes to the local primary and secondary schools which the children would attend, as well as having a public bus stop nearby.

 

The applicants are both working parents, with Mr Davey running his own carpentry business and both work locally providing for the community. This is a great opportunity for them to build their family home together and I believe as a Council we should be supporting this type of application and opportunities which really help build our communities and help young people thrive.

 

In the absence of the case officer, the Planning Manager presented the report.

 

A verbal update was given which included the following:

 

Consultee response: Newton St Petrock Parish Council

•      Local Needs requirement Comments: The Parish Meeting expressed general outline support for the development of the proposed plot.

•      As the design and plan evolves, the Parish would wish to see:

•      a. The retention of the maximum amount of Devon bank and hedging facing the road as possible.

•      b. The preservation of a young oak tree situated at the field gate - the likely access to the plot.

•      The Parish would also point out that [reported] Japanese Knotweed is present in the bank between the road and the field in a position close to this site.

 

Members were then informed of the main planning considerations.

 

The Chair invited Members to ask questions and make comments.

 

Following a question from Councillor P Pennington, clarification was given on the meaning of FPEG and whether Newton St Petrock Parish Council had given a verbal response.

 

In response to a suggestion for a S106 to be added, the Planning Manager advised as this was not an open market dwelling S106 was not applicable and it was not open to members to seek an alternative proposal.

 

Councillor P Hames proposed that the application be approved, this was seconded by Councillor D Bushby.

 

The Planning Manager advised if Members were minded to approve the application consideration would need to be given to which policies support the application.

 

The debate continued where some Members expressed their sympathy to the family however could not go against policy and recommended that the application be re-submitted as a local need dwelling with more detail.

 

It was also noted that there were no objections from neighbours, Environmental Protection and DCC Highways therefore could not see a reason to object to the application. 

 

Following a query from Councillor L Bach asking if the application were approved, could conditions be imposed, the Planning Manager advised that would have to be a different proposal and the committee are not able to change it. Currently there was no policy position to support the application - this application would go against the Local Plan which is the lawful starting point for decision making. The Planning Manager urged caution with approving the application and if approved clear justification would be needed along with material reasons. 

 

Following further debate Councillor P Hames withdrew his proposal.

 

Councillor D Bushby proposed that the application be granted, there was no seconder for this proposal.

 

The Chair quoted policies that would cover the application.

The Planning Manager advised that at this stage in the application, there are no policies to support it and highlighted the conflict with the principal policies concerning development in the countryside. 

 

It was expressed that if the application were to be granted then TDC could incur costs if challenged.

 

It was proposed by Councillor C Leather, seconded by Councillor P Pennington that the application be refused. 

 

A recorded vote was taken.

 

Councillor	For	Against	Abstain
Cllr L Bach			X
Cllr D Bushby		X
Cllr P Hames	X
Cllr C Leather	X
Cllr R Lock	X
Cllr P Pennington	X
Cllr H Thomas	X
Cllr C Wheatley	X
Cllr J Whittaker	X

(Vote:  For – 7, Against – 1, Abstentions - 1)

 

Resolved:

 

That the application be refused subject to the reasons set out in the report.

 

Sara Bridgman, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor C Cottle-Hunkin, Ward Member, spoke in support of the application.