Minded to refuse (and
deferral for advice)
That Committee are minded to refuse the
application on the grounds that the development would fail to
represent good design, would not create a better place in which to
live and work for the whole community of the area and would not
improve the character and quality of the area.
The site is clearly visible from public vantage
points and moreover the public are able regularly to be present on
the Stonham Barns site to use and experience its facilities and
environment. Having regard to this visibility the lodges proposed
are uniform in design and spacing, the layout is linear and the
development extends into open countryside that is flat and lacks
topographical relief. The landscaped bunds look manmade as though
they are trying to segregate rather than assimilate the site into
its landscape setting and the landscape planting has yet to have
any measurable impact upon views of the proposal. The lodges would
be viewed as a stark man made addition to the open and rural
character of this countryside setting that would harm the character
and appearance of the landscape.
On this basis the development would be contrary
to policies GP1 and RT17 of the MSDC LP 1998 and contrary to
paragraph 124, 127 and 160 of the NPPF February 2019.
And that the Chief
Planning Officer be instructed to review and risk assess the
proposed reason for refusal and concurrently seek independent
landscape and design advice on the following matters and to report
his further advice to Committee ;
[a] the visual impact of the development upon the
landscape character and appearance of the proposal in its context
having regard go to policies GP1 and RT17 of the Local Plan
and
[b] the extent to which the design and layout of
the proposal takes
the opportunities available for improving the character and quality
of an area and the way it functions having regard to paragraphs 127
and 130 of NPPF