Two self-build homes at Land North Of Waltoria House, Gote Lane, Gorefield

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for up to two self-build or custom-build homes, with access committed and a drain culverted for entry.

“The proposal seeks outline planning permission, with matters committed in respect of access, for the erection of 2no. self-build dwellings involving the culverting of the drain to allow access.”

“The submitted site plan identifies a single access point serving both dwellings located centrally along the site frontage. The indicative layout shows a linear form of development with the dwellings set back within the site. Full plans and associated documents for this application can be found at: https://www.publicaccess.fenland.gov.uk/publicaccess/”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was paddock land between homes, in a mainly rural area about 550 metres from Gorefield’s main built form.

“The application site is located on Land North of Waltoria House, Gote Lane in Gorefield. The site is currently an area of paddock land with a post and rail fence to its front boundary with a frontage spanning approximately 70m between residential development to the north and south of the site.”

“The surrounding area is largely rural in nature, with low levels of sporadic or loose knit residential development in the surrounding area. The northern extent of the main built built form of Gorefield is located approximately 550m to the south of the site. The site is located in Flood Zone 1 and is at very low risk of surface water flooding. PROPOSAL”

Officer report

Planning history

No relevant planning history was identified for the site.

“There is no site history relevant to the determination of the application.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the site an elsewhere location, harmful to rural character, and lacking an enforceable mechanism securing self-build housing and its BNG exemption.

“The location of the application site is considered to fall outside of the built form of Gorefield and is in a more rural nature of location, approximately 550m from the built form of Gorefield, with limited development present in the surrounding area. The site therefore has limited access to services and facilities and would rely entirely on the private motor vehicle. 9.2.”

“The rural location of the site away from the built form of Gorefield is considered to render it an ‘Elsewhere’ location, where development is restricted to that which is essential to the effective operation of local, rural enterprise. No evidence has been submitted to suggest that this is the case, and the proposal is therefore considered contrary to the spatial strategy set out in the Local Plan, and accordingly unacceptable in principle.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and one applicant argued that the site was infill within an established community and would provide local, family and school benefits.

The committee vote

The committee agreed to grant permission against the officer recommendation, subject to completing the self-build undertaking and agreeing conditions.

“Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Marks and agreed that the application be GRANTED against officer’s recommendation, with authority delegated to officers to complete a unilateral undertaking for the self-build and to apply conditions in consultation with members.”

Minutes

What was decided

Members did not support refusal because they considered the site infill and adjacent to the existing development footprint.

“Members do not support refusal of planning permission as they feel that the site is not in an elsewhere location and is considered to be infill as it is adjacent to existing development footprint.”

Minutes