Agenda item

Some Members had visited the site the previous day.

The Planning Officer presented the report and outlined the reasons for refusal as detailed in the report.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Jane Newman, Agent

Although some Members were supportive of the application, there was some concern over the loss of car parking that was currently available to local residents. Members also considered that this was a missed opportunity for the site to be used for affordable housing in the centre of the village.

The Officer recommendation to refuse the application was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the application be REFUSED for the following reasons: 

1.    The proposed development would have an unacceptable design and would result in harm to the character and appearance of the site and the Hathersage Conservation Area. The harm identified would be less than substantial but would not be outweighed by any public benefits. The development is therefore contrary to Core Strategy Policies GSP1, GSP2, GSP3 and L3, Development Management Policies DMC3, DMC5, DMC8 and DME8 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.    The proposed development would not be required to achieve the conservation or enhancement of the settlement and therefore the proposed development is not acceptable in principle and contrary to Core Strategy Policies DS1 and HC1 and Development Management Policy DMH6. The development proposes a business use on previously developed land and does not take up opportunities for enhancement contrary to Core Strategy Policy E1.