Agenda item

Ward

Shepperton Town

Proposal

The erection of a dwelling house (use class C3) with associated car parking and landscaping following removal of existing ‘summer accommodation.

Officer Recommendation

The application is recommended for refusal.

Councillor R. Noble left the meeting at 7.33pm

Description:

Erection of a dwelling house (use class C3) with associated car parking and landscaping following removal of existing ‘summer accommodation’.

Additional Information:

The application was brought before the Planning Committee as the applicant is a Spelthorne Borough Council Councillor.

Officers had been copied into a document sent to Councillors which included photographs and showed the clearing which has taken place to the site since the applicants took ownership.

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Ms H. Lowe, Agent acting for the applicant, spoke for the proposed development raising the following key points:

i)             Although the site was originally built for recreational purposes, many of the surrounding properties have gained residential status,

ii)            The application seeks to replace the existing caravan and outbuildings that have been on the site for many years and should therefore be considered permanent,

iii)           Although the site lies within the Green Belt, because the buildings have been on the site for so long, it should be considered previously developed land per the NPPF,

iv)           The proposed dwelling would only have a slightly larger footprint than the existing dwellings and would not compromise the openness of the site,

v)            The site has been significantly improved by the applicant through the years,

vi)           Although the proposed site is in a flood zone, it would be raised to ensure flood resilience and maintain flood storage capacity, and would not lead to any additional risk of flooding elsewhere,

vii)          The Officer’s report confirms that the design of the property was acceptable and that is complies with the Plotlands Policy and Policy EN8, and

viii)        The development complies with parking and sustainability criteria.

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

·         The site does not benefit from permanent residential use

·         The caravan currently on the site is not considered permanent a it has wheels and a tow bar attached

·         The Environment Agency have objected on flooding grounds as it is against policy to introduce additional households into a flood plain.

·         Previous applications for this site have been refused

·         The caravan and outbuildings currently on the site are not attractive

·         Thames Meadow has never been flooded and the Residents Association have flood resilience plans in place

·         Applicants have regenerated and enhanced the green nature of the site which has encouraged wildlife

·         If the application had been submitted by a non-Council associated resident it would have been refused

·         The site is not previously developed land

·         The application site is green belt land and therefore should not be built on

·         By consolidating all the small temporary buildings on the site into one, it would increase the openness of the site

·         The development would not impact on neighbouring properties.

A recorded vote was requested

For the motion: Cllrs C. Bateson, J. Doran, S. Dunn, M. Gibson, T. Harman, H. Harvey, N. Islam, J. McIlroy, R. Smith-Ainsley, B. Spoor and J. Vinson

Against the motion: Councillor R. W. Sider BEM

Decision:

The application was REFUSED