Two dwellings at Land East Of 190 Wype Road, Eastrea

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for two dwellings, with the first stage considering location, use and the amount of development.

“To the south-west of the site, on the opposite side of Wype Road is extant permission for the erection of 2 dwellings. Furthermore, there is a pending Permission in Principle application for the erection of 1 dwelling adjacent to the extant permission.”

“The ‘Permission in Principle’ (PiP) application is for residential development of 2 dwellings. The current proposal is the first part of the permission in principle application, which only assesses the principle issues namely:”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an undeveloped agricultural field beside Eastrea, surrounded mainly by countryside, with nearby permissions for five dwellings and another pending application.

“The application site is located on Wype Road, Eastrea. The site is currently an undeveloped agricultural field situated immediately adjacent to the built form of Eastrea to the northwest. The site is surrounded to the north, east and south-east by open countryside, - 2 - largely characterised by agricultural fields. The land to the northwest of the site has extant permission for the erection of 3 dwellings.”

Officer report

Planning history

There is no planning history on the site itself, but nearby permissions include housing and a granted permission in principle application.

“There is no planning history on the application site itself. However, there is planning history in the surrounding area which is detailed below:”

“Reference Description Decision F/YR26/0087/PIP Permission in principle for 1 x dwelling (Land South East Of Plot 2 South East Of 190, Wype Road, Eastrea, Cambridgeshire) Granted 05/26 F/YR26/0040/RM Reserved Matters application relating to detailed matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to outline permission F/YR24/0637/O to erect up to 3 x dwellings involving the formation of 3 x accesses (2 x residential, 1 x agricultural) (outline application with…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council unanimously recommended refusal, while highways and environmental health raised no objection at this stage.

“WTC unanimously recommended refusal of this application on the grounds that it, in combination with other recently approved developments and other applications awaiting decision, represents ribbon development, it extends the village boundaries, encroaches into green space and results in loss of arable land. Whittlesey Town Council have also confirmed that Councillor Laws left the room having declared a non‐pecuniary interest in the application.”

“The Environmental Health Team note and accept the submitted information and have 'No Objections' to the proposal, as it is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on local air quality, adversely impact the local amenity due to excessive artificial lighting or be affected by ground contamination.”

Officer report

Support from residents

Seven letters supported the proposal, citing village facilities, housing, character, design, parking and residential amenity.

“Supporting Comments Officer Response Enhance the village and support existing facilities (i.e. local shop) This is noted, however this does not override the fact that the development would be situated in an ‘Elsewhere’ location, as discussed within the ‘Location’ assessment section below. Provide housing This is not a specific consideration under a Permission in Principle application. Character This is addressed within the ‘Location’ assessment section.”

Officer report

The agent’s case

The agent said nearby development was built out, highways did not object, the site was outside a flood zone and the proposal would provide two bungalows.

Members’ discussion

Members viewed the proposal as completing development along Wype Road, while recognising concerns about agricultural land and hoping no further building followed.

“Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows: • Councillor Benney expressed the opinion that this application just completes the development in Wype Road, he drives this road quite regularly and he always looks at those bungalows on the southwest side, being part of the committee that approved them against officer’s recommendation, and thinks how nice they look on the drive into the village, which sets the scene for how the village is and this…”

“Councillor Gerstner hopes that, if this is approved, that this is the last proposal along here and developers do not get any ideas to build on the rear but looking at the proposal in front of him today he feels it would finish the area off. He appreciates what Whittlesey Town Council have said but they are only consultees and, therefore, he is in favour of going against officer’s recommendation.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members agreed to grant the application against the officer recommendation because they considered it a continuation of existing development rather than an elsewhere location.

“Proposed by Councillor Imafidon, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and agreed that the application be GRANTED against officer’s recommendation.”

“Members do not support officer’s recommendation of refusal of planning permission as they feel it is not an elsewhere location and is a continuation of existing development.”

Minutes