Car park and 12 homes at Land East Of Watton Road, Great Hockham

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for a car park, up to 12 homes, garaging, access, drainage and associated works.

“The outline application seeks the erection of up to 12no dwellings on predominantly agricultural land off Watton Road, Great Hockham, with all matters reserved other than access. Associated works include garaging, vehicular and pedestrian access, drainage, open space, landscaping and other works.”

Officer report

The site

The 1.01-hectare site was mainly agricultural land beside Watton Road, next to housing, a primary school and nursery, and outside the settlement boundary.

“The application site is 1.01ha in area and comprises of predominately agricultural land situated on the eastern side of Watton Road, Great Hockham. The site is largely laid to grass with cultivated fir trees to the interior and hedge and tree planting extends along the southern and eastern boundaries. Toward the south-western end of the site lies an area of surfacing that is used as an informal car park that is under the ownership of the applicant.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications concerned relocating a children’s centre, with one refused in 2007 and another approved in 2008.

“Planning Reference: 3PL/2007/0936/F Description: Re-location of children’s centre with car parking facility Application Status: Refused on 21/08/2007”

“Planning Reference: 3PL/2008/1229/F Description: Re-location of children’s centre Application Status: Approved on 06/10/2008”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because environmental harm, flood and drainage risks, and unsecured contributions significantly outweighed the housing, economic, social and ecological benefits.

“This harm is weighed against the fact that the Local Planning Authority do not have an up to date Local Plan and a five year supply of housing land, and that the proposals would make a notable contribution to the housing shortfall and that there are moderate short to long term economic benefits from the development, and social benefits through additional market and affordable housing provision in the rural community.”

“1) The proposed development by reason of its location conflicts with policies GEN03, GEN05, HOU02 and HOU04 of the Breckland Local Plan that seek to sustainably manage housing growth. In addition, the failure to secure policy required affordable housing, public open and mitigate for harm caused to Habitat Sites from additional recreational pressure result in significant environmental harm and when taken along with the failure to ensure the proposed dwellings would be…”

Officer report

What people said

Objections focused on the settlement boundary, highway safety, flooding, drainage, school expansion, parking, countryside harm, biodiversity and construction impacts.

“- Proposed residential development outside of the defined settlement boundary of Great Ellingham. - Unsustainable location for residential development - Built encroachment and visual intrusion into the open countryside resulting in the loss of the rural character and settlement fringe of Great Hockham. - Highway safety concerns over vehicular access in close proximity to school crossing point, causing significant risk to pedestrians accessing the school.”

“- Noise disturbances from the construction and occupation phase of the development. - Adverse amenity and highway safety concerns during the construction phase of the development. - Appeal decision APP/F2605/W/24/3352273 sets precedent that Great Hockham is unsustainability located with limited services in the village. - Insufficient details regarding construction worker parking and whether this conflicts with the school drop off and collection times.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The ward representative and parish council chairman spoke against the application, alongside an objector, while the applicant’s agent also addressed the committee.

Members considered the proposal

Members examined the application in detail against relevant policies and guidance before deciding it.

“Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.”

“Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.”

Minutes

The vote

Members unanimously supported the officer recommendation of refusal.

“DECISION: Members voted unanimously in support of the Officer’s recommendation of refusal.”

Minutes