Agenda item

The Officer presented the report and reminded Members of the planning history of the site.  It was noted that a decision on this application had been deferred by the Planning Committee on 11^th April 2025 in order for dialogue with the applicant to take place along with a bat species survey and to consider the possibility of the dwelling meeting a local need.  The Officer then outlined the reasons for refusal as detailed in the report. 

Since the last meeting an updated protected species survey had been completed and the report received, consequently the absence of a protected species survey no longer formed a reason for refusal.  The Officer had discussed the possibility of the dwelling meeting a local need with the agent. The application still did not comply with policies and there was no exception in the policy for a market dwelling.  The Agent had confirmed that the applicant was not applying for a local needs dwelling.

Since the report was published all Members of the Planning Committee along with the Planning Officer had received a letter from the Agent. The Authority Solicitor informed Members of an incorrect statement in the letter regarding the Lawful Development Certificate decision, that had the potential to be misleading to Members. The Authority Solicitor clarified the position and advised Members that the points in issue regarding the Lawful Development Certificate were legally technical and not matters in issue for consideration in order to determine this application. 

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Mrs Jill Naylor, Agent

·         Mrs Clare Warr, Applicant

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

K Potter voted against the motion and requested that this be recorded.

RESOLVED:

That the application be REFUSED for the following reason:

1.    The proposed market dwelling is not acceptable in principle as it is not required to achieve the conservation and / or enhancement of a non-designated heritage asset, and it does not meet any other exception for new housing in the National Park, contrary to Core Strategy Policy HC1, Development Management Policies DMC10 and DMH6: and National Planning Policy Framework.