Up to 31 homes at Land Rear of 50 To 54 Common Road, Snettisham

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for up to 31 homes, with only access decided at this stage and other details reserved for later.

“26/00366/OM Snettisham: Land to the rear of 50 to 54 Common Road: Outline application for residential development comprising up to 31 dwellings, with all matters reserved except access:”

“The case officer introduced the report and explained that the application sought outline planning consent with access only for the construction of up to 31 dwellings. Scale, appearance, layout and landscaping would be agreed as part of a reserved matters application.”

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The site and its setting

The site was west of Snettisham, beside existing development, a public footpath and the A149, and outside the village development boundary.

“The application site was located to the west of the village of Snettisham. It was enclosed by existing residential and commercial development off Common Road South, Beach Road to the south and the A149 to the east. Towards the south of the site was an existing Public Right of Way known as Snettisham Footpath 33, which went from east to west.”

“The site was outside of the development boundary for Snettisham but was directly adjacent to it on two sides. It was also outside of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape and Snettisham Common County Wildlife Site but was approximately 55m away at the closest point. Snettisham was a categorised as a Key Rural Service Centre (Tier 4) in Policy LP01 of the Local Plan.”

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Why the committee considered it

The application was referred to the committee by former Councillor Dark, who later resigned, while public interest supported committee determination.

“Update: The application was called in by the former local ward member Stuart Dark. [name withheld] has since resigned his post as a councillor. However, given the nature of the application and the level of public interest it is considered appropriate that the application is debated and determined at Planning Committee.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, a parish council representative and a supporter addressed the committee under the public speaking protocol.

What members discussed

Members considered the dwelling threshold, environmental sensitivity, flood risk, drainage and highway safety, including the site’s landscape setting and flooding history.

“The Committee discussed policy LP02's dwelling threshold, environmental sensitivity, flood risk, drainage, and highway safety; concerns about exceeding the 25-dwelling limit, proximity to the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, and historical flooding were raised, with technical responses from officers and references to mitigation fees and consultee positions.”

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The vote

The committee voted to refuse the application, with 12 votes for refusal and one abstention.

“Councillor Storey proposed that the application be refused on the grounds that the dwelling threshold outside the development boundary…”

“The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to refuse the application and, after having been put to the vote, was carried (12 votes for refusal and 1 abstention).”

Minutes

Why permission was refused

The committee found the homes conflicted with the development boundary policy and would harm the rural character, countryside and setting of the National Landscape.

“The application seeks planning consent for the development of up to 31 dwellings, on land outside of the development boundary for the village of Snettisham. As such, the proposal represents a departure from the policy and is contrary to Policy LP02 of the Local Plan.”

“The proposal for the development of up to 31 dwellings in this rural location would extend residential built form into the countryside. It is considered that development of this scale, in this location would be out of keeping and have a detrimental impact on the form and character of the rural locality. Furthermore, the development would have a detrimental impact on the setting of the National Landscape.”

Minutes