Retrospective house extensions at 2 The Workshop Cheese Hill Marston Bigot, Frome

What was proposed

The retrospective application covered a roof conversion, skylights, rear dormers, a side extension with balcony, a porch and window alterations.

“Application Details Application reference numbers 2026/0805/HSE Application type Householder Extension of time Description Retrospective application for roof conversion, installation of skylights, two dormer windows to rear elevation, erection of single-storey side extension with balcony over, erection of porch extension and fenestration alterations to ground floor windows.”

“The application seeks retrospective planning permission for the roof conversion, installation of skylights, two dormer windows to rear elevation, erection of single- storey side extension with balcony over, erection of porch extension and fenestration alterations to ground floor windows.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The dwelling is in a rural residential setting with mature screening and shares a boundary with Marston Park’s Grade II Registered Park and Garden.

“The application site concerns 2 The Workshop, Cheese Hill, Marston Bigot, Frome and is located within the rural countryside. It is located to the east of the A361 within a residential site and is one of two residential properties located within the wider residential curtilage. The property is a detached two storey dwelling with brick and timber-clad elevations set beneath a pitched tiled roof.”

“The application site is subject to a number of ecological planning constraints. These include its location within the Bat Consultation Zone, Mells Valley Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Local Wildlife Site/SAC consultation zone (Mells Valley SAC consultation zones 2 and 4), and within SSSI Impact Risk Zones.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions approved the conversion of workshop and office buildings into two dwellings and later approved landscaping, arboricultural and knotweed details.

“2020/1756/APP - Approval of details reserved by conditions 7 (Hard and Soft Landscaping), 8 (Arboricultural Method Statement), 9 (Japanese Knotweed Protocol) on planning consent 2017/1847/FUL. Approved.”

“2017/1847/FUL - Conversion of existing workshop and office buildings to 2 dwellings and change of use of adjacent land to garden land use including the provision of gardens and parking areas – Approved with conditions on 7th February 2018”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the works compliant with relevant policies, appropriately designed and scaled, and unlikely to cause significant harm to amenity, landscape or heritage assets.

“The proposal has been assessed and considered compliant with the relevant policies of the Mendip District Council Local Plan Part I (2014) and the National Planning Policy Framework and there are no material reasons that indicate the application should be refused. The proposal has been assessed to have minimal impact on residential amenity and is of an appropriate design, scale, and massing for its context.”

“Standard time limit for consent • Standard plans condition • Additional planting on boundary…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent supported the application, citing the development’s quality, existing screening and lack of material planning objections.

What members discussed

Members discussed the withdrawn permitted development rights, the retrospective application and whether boundary trees and new planting would provide sufficient screening.

“Members queried whether the applicant should have been aware of the planning restrictions attached to the original permission and expressed concern regarding the retrospective nature of the application. They were advised that permitted development rights had been removed under the 2017 permission and remain withdrawn. Any future relevant alterations would continue to require planning permission.”

“Members discussed the retrospective nature of the development and the principle of allowing residents to make improvements to their properties where no planning harm arises. They were advised that retrospective…”

Minutes

The vote

The proposal was carried with 10 votes in favour, 1 against and no abstentions.

“At the conclusion of the debate, Councillor Adam Boyden proposed approval in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation, including a landscaping condition requiring planting to be maintained in perpetuity. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Dawn Denton.”

“On being put to the vote the proposal was carried with 10 votes in favour, 1 votes against and 0 abstention.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved in accordance with the officer recommendation, with the conditions in the report and landscaping mitigation maintained in perpetuity.

“That planning application 2026/0805/HSE be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions set out in the report, as well as landscaping mitigation to be maintained in perpetuity.”

Minutes