Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Agenda item

Minutes:

132.1    Item 7B

 

Application:           DC/19/05761

Proposal:              Full Application – Erection of off-grid sustainable dwellinghouse with associated parking, landscaping, sewage treatment plant and improved access to highway. Detached garage and annexe.

Site Location:        BUXHALL – Land south of Mill Road

Applicant:             Mr & Mrs Miller

 

132.2    The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee, outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the contents of the tabled papers, and the officer recommendation of refusal.

 

132.3    The Case officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: Affordable housing contribution, size of dwelling, and off grid sustainability.

 

132.4    Members considered the representation from Dr David Hickie who spoke in support of the application.

 

132.5    The Supporter responded to Members’ questions on issues including: confirmation that he is employed by the Applicant as a Heritage Consultant, and consideration of the settings of the listed buildings.

 

132.6    Members considered the representation from Craig Beech who spoke as the Agent.

 

132.7    The Agent responded to Members’ questions on issues including: clarification of off-grid power, and construction of the foundations.

 

132.8    The Heritage Officer addressed the Committee at this point to clarify the representation from the Heritage Team.

 

132.9    Members considered the representation from Ward Member, Councillor Penny Otton.

 

132.10  The Ward Member responded to Members’ questions on issues including: clarification that Dr Hickie was formerly employed by Historic England and the Parish Council’s views on the site being outside the settlement boundary.

 

132.11  Members debated the application on issues including: design and size of dwelling, sustainability, development outside settlement boundary, and Heritage impact.

 

132.12  Councillor Barry Humphreys proposed that the application be refused as detailed in the officer recommendation. Councillor Rowland Warboys seconded the Motion.

 

132.13  The vote was taken by roll call, and by 6 votes to 1 the Motion was carried.

 

132.14  It was RESOLVED:

 

That the application be refused for the following reasons:

 

1.     The site’s character as an undeveloped field is fundamental to its contribution to the setting of many of the nearby listed buildings and the rural context in which they stand. The proposed dwelling would significantly detract from the open countryside character of the area, the rural setting of the village, and the rural setting of the nearby designated heritage assets, the latter being harmful to the significance of the designated heritage assets. These adverse impacts, constituting significant environmental harm, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the scheme’s modest economic, social and environmental benefits, and would not deliver sustainable development, contrary to Policy FC01 and FC01_1 of the Core Strategy Focused Review 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework 2019 and Section 66(1) of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as well as Policy HB1 of the Mid Suffolk Local Plan 1998 and Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy 2008.

 

2.     The site area exceeds 0.5ha and as such affordable housing requirements are triggered.  On this basis the proposed development fails to secure affordable housing provision on site or a contribution for provision elsewhere and is contrary to NPPF and Altered Local Plan 1998 Policy H4.  

 

 

 

Supporting documents: