1–2 homes at Land South East Of Caunton Road, Hockerton

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for between one and two dwellings, with detailed design reserved for a later stage.

“The application seeks Permission in Principle (the first of a 2-stage process) for residential development of a minimum of 1 and up to 2 dwellings. No specific details are required at this stage.”

“The proposed dwellings would create a new residential access off Caunton Road which connects to Main Street which is the main road through the village. As the proposal is for permission in principle, no elevational details or plans have been submitted at this stage – details would be considered at the Technical Details Consent stage if permission in principle is approved.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a field beside an existing dwelling, just beyond the village’s main built-up area, within Flood Zone 1.

“The site is located on Caunton Road just beyond the main built-up area of the village. The field is situated north of and adjacent to a single storey dwelling known as The Bungalow when heading away from Hockerton.”

“The site is within Flood Zone 1 and has no identified risk of surface water flooding.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

The site and nearby land have a history of refused and dismissed housing applications, alongside a 2025 permission in principle for two to four dwellings.

“25/01918/PIP - Application for permission in principle for residential development for a minimum of two and up to four dwellings (Permitted 06.11.2025) 20/00042/DEC - Outline application for two detached dwellings (access only) (Appeal Dismissed 30.12.2020) 20/00225/OUT - Outline application for two detached dwellings (access only) (Refused 26.03.2020) 19/00661/OUT - Outline application for three affordable shared ownership dwellings (access only) (Refused 29.05.2019)…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal’s location, land use and amount were acceptable in principle, with detailed matters left to technical consent.

“The purpose of this application is to assess the acceptability of the proposal on the application site, in relation to location, land use, and amount of development, in principle only. Any other issues should be assessed at Technical Details stage. Further to the above assessment, it is considered that the location and land use is suitable for 1 – 2 dwellings and is an acceptable amount of development for the site.”

“It should be noted that conditions cannot be attached to a Permission in Principle. Conditions would be attached to the Technical Details Consent. The Permission in Principle and the Technical Details Consent together form the full permission. No development can commence until both have been approved.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no in-principle objection, the parish council made no comment and no neighbour or public comments were received.

“Neighbour & Public consultations – No comments received…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard the planning officer’s presentation and an agent speaking in support of the application.

What members debated

Members discussed the nearby approved permission, the risk of this site becoming isolated and the cumulative scale of 59 houses in the village.

“Members considered the application, and concern was raised regarding the already approved permission in principle on a piece of land to the south of this site, it was commented that if that development did not take place this site could be left in isolation. The cumulative impact and scale of village of 59 houses was also commented upon.”

Minutes

The vote

Members approved permission in principle with seven votes for, four against and one abstention.

“AGREED (with 7 votes For, 4 votes Against and 1 Abstention) that Permission in Principle be approved.”

Minutes