Self-build bungalow at Land off Millbridge Lane, Kendal

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for an open-market detached bungalow, with access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved.

“The application site consists of an area of agricultural land within the open countryside, and the application seeks outline planning permission for an open- market detached bungalow with all matters reserved (i.e. access, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping are not determined at this stage).”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the location unsustainable, the country lane unsuitable for intensification, and the proposal harmful to open countryside.

“The application site is in an unsustainable location with poor access to services, the country lane that the new dwelling would be accessed from is unsuitable for intensification due to its narrowness and lack of passing spaces, the proposal would result in unjustified erosion of the open countryside, and the application has failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances to justify the unsustainability of the site (for example, the proposed dwelling isn’t an…”

“The adverse impacts relate to NPPF paragraphs 110, 115, 129, 135, and 139. Due to the level of harm identified relating to the sustainability of the site, the unsuitability the country lane for intensification, and the harm to the open countryside, the presumption in favour of approving the application does not apply and, therefore, the application is recommended for refusal. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 The application is recommended for refusal.”

Officer report

Speaking at the meeting

A speaker addressed the committee in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members considered whether an eco-home with additional sustainability measures could outweigh the location concerns and whether the highway objection was justified.

“Members were reminded that the proposals were not in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, the framework as a whole and was in an unsustainable location. The Senior Planning Specialist highlighted that the applicant had made reference to an eco-home of a significant sustainability standard that could outweigh the potential harm of the unsustainable location.”

“The Committee suggested that the application be approved on the basis that despite it is out with the settlement boundary and formally not of sufficient size to be a development based on the size of the settlement, paragraph 139 in the National Planning Policy Framework a self-build could be supported as long as the planning officers are confident enough that it would be a self-build eco-home of sufficient quality with additional sustainability measures to negate the reasons…”

Minutes

Conditions

Permission was subject to conditions drafted to secure the relevant requirements for the development.

“(2) Subject to the conditions drafted by the Senior Planning Specialist in conjunction with the Head of Development Management which will be published separately.”

Minutes