Decision details

This application was deferred from the April meeting to enable members of the committee to visit the site and assess the landscape impact.  It was noted that Members had visited the site the previous day.

The Officer reported that further emails had been received by the Loxley Valley Protection Society who still objected to the application despite the submission of the amended plans and that a letter had been received by the Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg who expressed concerns about the scale of the buildings, damage to the setting of a precedent and the facts that residents may not have seen the site notice.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Barbara Wardley, Objector

·         Anna Wardley, Objector

·         Jan Symington, Secretary of Loxley Valley Protection Society, Objector

·         Bob Bryan, Agent

In response to comments made by the speakers, the Officer explained that whilst the delegated report for that first building contained an error in the description of the buildings dimensions, it had in fact been erected in full accordance with the approved plans and conditions.

Members discussed the possibility of an alternative site for the buildings but  were concerned this would have even more impact on the landscape.  Members were concerned about the prominence of the scale of building proposed for this hill top site and whether the soil quality on site would enable the trees proposed in the landscaping scheme to grow.   The Officer assured Members the scheme was developed with the input of the Authority’s Landscape Architect and that  this would be monitored with the condition ensuring that any trees that fail to grow will be replaced during the first  five years.

A motion to refuse the application was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To REFUSE the application for the following reasons:

1.         The size and scale of the proposed development on this prominent hill top location would have a harmful  impact upon the landscape.

2.         The proposed development would have an adverse impact upon the setting  of the nearby  listed building.

Cllrs Mrs N Hawkins and Cllr A R Favell left the meeting at 2.50pm and 2.55pm respectively.