Issue - meetings

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.