Issue - meetings

Application for demolition of existing poultry and cattle buildings and residential development of up to 150 dwellings with vehicular access from Sketchley Lane (outline - vehicular access only).

Late items received after preparation of main agenda:

Introduction:-

Please see the correct site location plan below to supersede the existing plan in the committee extract;

Consultations:-

Additional objections have been received, raising the following points:

1.    The history of the application to develop this site has been disregarded.

2.    The previous application was changed to refusal, when the Burbage Neighbourhood Plan surfaced because the area was designated a green corridor.

3.    The application was upheld by HBBC planning committee, and then taken to appeal by the applicant. The Planning Inspector upheld the decision, siting damage to the character of the area, and concerns regarding traffic.

4.    The current application has been amended to increase homes from 140 to 150, with removal of the ind est. extension, access to which was through the existing Est. Access to the residential area is via Sketchley Lane as previously. The degradation of the Sketchley area would be no different to that described by the Inspector, the basis for him upholding officer and councillor decisions to refuse the application.

5.    I am at a loss to understand why the Neighbourhood Plan requirement for a green corridor is disregarded by Planning Officers this time, when it was of pivotal importance previously, initiating their recommendation to reject.  I am also at a loss to understand why the reasoning, given by the Government Inspector to uphold his decision to reject, can be disregarded when nothing has changed to justify it.

6.    Previous application dismissed at appeal

7.    Impact on character of Lane and urbanising impact

8.    Highway impact - traffic volumes

Recommendation:-

Amendment to Planning Condition 20 to read:

No part of the development hereby permitted shall be occupied until such time as the access arrangements shown on 50711-5501-002 have been implemented in full.

Reason: To ensure that vehicles entering and leaving the site may pass each other clear of the highway, in a slow and controlled manner, in the interests of general highway safety and in accordance with Policy DM17 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD and the NPPF (2021).

Amendment to Planning Condition 25 to read:

No development shall take place until a feasibility study for a link between Bridleway U67 and Troon Way has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such a study shall include, the extent of existing highways, identification of landowners concerned, surfacing, width, structures, signing and landscaping and a proposed scheme, in accordance with the principles set out in the Leicestershire County Council's Guidance Notes for Developers. That part of any approved link which falls within the application site (as defined on approved Site Boundary Drg No edp4824_d002h received 08/09/21) shall be implemented in full prior to occupation of any development hereby permitted unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority'.

Application for demolition of existing poultry and cattle buildings and residential development of up to 150 dwellings with vehicular access from Sketchley Lane (outline – vehicular access only).

An objector and the agent spoke on this application.

Notwithstanding the officer’s recommendation that permission be granted, it was moved by Councillor Walker and seconded by Councillor Flemming that permission be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The application proposed development in the countryside, where its built form would be at odds with the site’s current open character and semi-rural nature which was appreciated from the surrounding footpaths. The development would not protect the intrinsic value, beauty and open character of this countryside location and was therefore be contrary to policy DM4 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD 2016;

2.    The development would create an increase in vehicular movements along Sketchley Lane, an access road that has restricted width, which would result in the development having a severe impact on highway safety and was therefore contrary to policy DM17 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD 2016. Furthermore, the proposed off-site highway mitigation works would result in an urbanising impact on the rural lane contrary to policy DM10 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD 2016.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – permission be refused for the abovementioned reasons.