Maintenance and storage building at Land to the rear of 50 Sutton Mill Road, Potton

“The Application: The application seeks planning permission for the erection of a maintenance and storage building for plant and machinery. Since the submission of the application, the proposals have been amended to reduce the scale of the building to overcome prevailing concerns relating to siting and scale. The amendments have reduced the length of the building to 10m (a reduction of 3.1m) and the height of the building to 3m (a reduction of 1.7m).”

“Paragraph 6.10 states that the applicant is responsible for 159,511 sqm of land within the quarry, 87, 570 sqm of which consists of woodland which is to be maintained. Given the significant scale of maintenance required, it is considered that there would be suitable justification for the proposed building.”

“It is considered that a Lawful Development Certificate would be required to confirm the lawful use of the land for any other purpose. 1.9It is considered that while the location of the proposed development would be within the open countryside, suitable justification for its location has been provided and its use (and associated restrictions) could be secured via a planning condition.”

“2.7Following amendments to reduce its overall size, it is considered that the scale of the building would now be acceptable. The height of the building has been significantly lowered thereby reducing the building's prominence within the open countryside and the nearby residential estate. The Inspector raised some concern regarding the appearance of the building and specifically its materiality being ‘somewhat unfortunate’.”

“3.2It is considered that proposal will not result in a harmful overbearing impact, loss of light, or loss of privacy to existing occupiers, given the separation distances involved. 3.3The Council's Public Protection Officer has requested a condition that the proposed use of the site would not exceed existing background sound levels.”

“That the application be APPROVED subject to: 1. The conditions set out in the Officers report; and 2. An amendment to condition 4 to ensure the existing landscaping is maintained and managed…”

“On being put to the vote 9 Members voted to approve the item, 0 members voted against approval and 0 members abstained.”