Issue - meetings

Application for erection of a single storey self-build/custom-build dwelling (resubmission of 23/00923).

This item was previously deferred at the meeting on 4 June 2024.

Late items received after publication of agenda:

Sheepy Parish Council

On 11 December 2024, further comments in objection to the application from Sheepy Parish Council were received. The Parish Council made the following comments in relation to the application:

“Dear Cllr Crooks (Planning Committee Chair) and Mr Brown (Head of Planning)

Sheepy Parish Council is very concerned that it is being denied the opportunity to speak at the forthcoming planning committee meeting on this application (letter of 5 Dec 2024, PA Ref: 24/00322/FUL). The Parish Council considers that significant amendments have been made to the application since originally submitted (Para 2.14, HBBC Planning Committee procedure rules) and should therefore have the opportunity to speak. A further, full consultation has taken place on this application and the design and location (position) of the proposed dwelling is significantly changed following the applicant consulting with Design Midland. On this matter, it appears that Design Midland has not subsequently been consulted on the significantly revised plans. Their engagement should be an iterative process. Further, Design Midland did not follow their own procedure when dealing with this matter, as set out in their Terms of Reference. Sheepy Parish has a made Neighbourhood Plan and accompanying design guide. They have neither referred to these, nor consulted Sheepy Parish Council.

The Parish Council also needs to draw to the committee’s attention to the fact that the application (latest re-submission) continues to make false and misleading statements. This is despite these matters being raised previously. This is misrepresentation and brings into question the legality of the application. The proposed dwelling is in Sheepy Parish NOT Market Bosworth Parish. The Sheepy Neighbourhood Development Plan and its policies are the only ones relevant here. The applicant has again ignored this matter. The Sheepy plan (and its policies) has been implemented following a fully consultative and democratic process. The plan therefore reflects the views of the community. Given that Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council strongly advocate for Neighbourhood Development Plans, Sheepy Parish Council hopes that the committee takes these issues very seriously, as well as the more detailed consultation response it submitted on 26 November 2024.

If the Parish Council continues to be denied the opportunity to speak at the committee meeting, it requests that both the Chair of the committee and the Director of Planning ensure that the concerns raised in this letter are communicated to the committee members at the meeting. This is to ensure that they are fully aware of these very important matters and are able to make a properly informed decision on this planning application. The committee should also be reminded that the law requires that decisions should be taken in accordance with the development plan (of which the Sheepy Neighbourhood Development Plan (policies) forms part) unless material considerations (which specifically include the NPPF) indicate otherwise. Further, that where a committee’s decision goes  ...  view the full agenda text for item 315

Application for erection of a single storey self-build / custom-build dwelling (resubmission of 23/00923/FUL).

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

RESOLVED – permission be refused for the reasons contained in the officer’s report.

Councillors Allen, Cook, Simmons and Smith returned to the meeting at this juncture.

Application for erection of single storey self-build / custom-build dwelling (resubmission of 23/00923/FUL).

Late items received after preparation of main agenda:

Consultations:-

1.1.       Following publication of the report the Parish Council has written as follows:

Sheepy Parish Council submitted its response to this application on 30 April and we note that this has been acknowledged in the Head of Planning’s report to the Committee and that it has made an important contribution to this report, its conclusions, and the recommendation for refusal of the application.

As indicated in the Parish Council’s representation, the Parish Council believes that the application does not comply with a number of the legally binding policies in the Sheepy Neighbourhood Plan and additionally the application contains a number of errors. It therefore supports your recommendation (as Head of Planning) for refusal of this planning application. The Parish Council will therefore not take up the invitation to speak at the Planning Committee meeting.

Appraisal:-

1.2.       The Applicants have also drawn officers’ attention to two reports. The first is the Market Bosworth Neighbourhood Plan Housing Needs Assessment (Dec 2022). This is considered to be of limited relevance though as the site does not lie within the area covered by the Neighbourhood Plan.

1.3.       The point that the Applicants are seemingly making is that there is a high proportion of older people in the area and that the 2011 Census shows that many households are occupying dwellings that are too big for them. The Applicants point out that approval of the single storey dwelling will allow them to move out of the current house in to the new purpose built accommodation and allow the main dwelling to be occupied by a larger family.

1.4.       This is considered a national issue and not one that is limited to or prevalent within the local area and the benefits to the Applicants of a new purpose built dwelling are understood. It is noted that the Assessment states that specialist housing for older people should only be provided in sustainable, accessible locations that offer services and facilities, public transport options, and the necessary workforce of carers and others. It is not considered though that there are any wider planning benefits that should attract weight in the planning balance given the isolated and unsustainable location of the site.

1.5.       The second document is an assessment of the Council’s position regarding self-build dwellings that was commissioned by an applicant elsewhere, in different circumstances, in support of their application for a new self-build dwelling. The Applicants consider that the report shows that there are significant issues related to the Council’s self-build register and how it is compiled and maintained.

1.6.       The report concludes that an average of 16 individuals have been added to the self-build register every year but that there is consensus within Government research and other evidence that local authority self and custom build registers are not representative of the full demand, and as such there is a need for more self and custom  ...  view the full agenda text for item 36

Application for erection of single storey self-build / custom-build dwelling (resubmission of 23/00923/FUL).

The applicant spoke on this item.

It was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Crooks that the application be deferred for a site visit and to urge the applicant to seek advice from Design Midlands. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the application be deferred for a site visit and to seek advice from Design Midlands.

Councillor Cook returned to the meeting at 8.20pm.