Storage shed and fencing at The Hollies Sutton Crescent Inkersall, Chesterfield

What was proposed

The application sought a storage shed and fencing with gates around the community centre site, with revised fencing retaining openness along Inkersall Green Road.

“The application seeks permission for the installation of a storage shed and fencing with gates to enclose the site. The proposed fencing was altered during the application process to reduce the extent of enclosure and retain openness to the Inkersall Green Road frontage.”

“The proposed fencing is indicated on the revised plans. Fencing and vehicular access gates which are a maximum of 2 metres in height are proposed to enclose the car park and to extend around The Hollies (shown by a blue line). Fencing and pedestrian access gates which are a maximum of 1.2m in height are proposed along the Inkersall Green Road frontage enclosing the open space (shown by pink line).”

Officer report

The site

The Hollies is a small, single-storey community centre in the built-up area, near Inkersall Green local centre and open space.

“The application relates to ‘The Hollies’ a small, single storey community centre. The site is located close to the defined Inkersall Green local centre (CLP8) and open space (CLP17) associated with the centre of Inkersall. The application site is within the Built-up Area (CLP3), however the site itself is unallocated on the adopted Local Plan Policies Map 2018-2035.”

“To the northern boundary of the site is land previously associated with Inkersall Methodist Church. The Church building has been demolished, and permission has been granted for 9 dwellings and a new church building on the land (see section 3.0 below, application reference CHE/22/00669/FUL and CHE/23/00643/REM1). As part of that application new residential dwellings are proposed immediately to the north of The Hollies building.”

Officer report

Nearby planning history

The application site had no recent planning history, while adjacent land had permission for nine dwellings and a replacement church.

“No recent planning history for application site…”

“CHE/23/00643/REM1 - Variation of condition 8 (occupation of dwellings) of CHE/22/00669/FUL - Demolition of existing church hall and toilet block, erection of replacement church and erection of 9 new dwellings with associated car parking, landscaping, boundary treatments and external lighting – CONDITIONAL PERMISSION (06.12.2023)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was acceptable in principle, design, residential amenity, highway safety and biodiversity terms, subject to conditions.

“The application site is unallocated, situated within the built-up area and relates to an existing community facility therefore works to enhance the community facility are acceptable in principle in accordance with Local Plan policies CLP1, CLP2 and CLP10. Subject to further consideration of other policies of the NPPF and Local Plan including policies CLP14, CLP15, CLP16, CLP20 and CLP22.”

“The proposed fencing is to be a weld mesh design in dark green. This fencing is typically seen around schools and retains intervisibility whilst maintaining security. The same fencing can be seen opposite the application site enclosing Inkersall Primary School. This type of fencing/gates are considered to be acceptable in design and appearance.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no objection, ward members made no representations, and no comments were received from the Council’s estates team or Yorkshire Water.

“No representation received on behalf of the Staveley Town Council, however comments received directly from Town Councillors.”

“No comments received. Separate discussion between applicant and estates team regarding works to property/land leased by the application from CBC.”

Officer report

What people said

Sixty-eight representations comprised 56 letters of support and 12 objections, with concerns including parking, turning space, green space, the footpath and visual impact.

“Loss of green space - To obtain enough space for vehicle turning this would involve extending into the open area on the opposite side of the road, resulting in further loss of green space along with the removal of the circular garden feature - It is felt that the green/grassed are to the top side of the hollies would be used as a turning circle plus carpark at school times. Which with leave a very unsightly green space as it will be turn to mud/bear grassed area 4.”

“Officer comments 1. Highway safety and loss of turning space – noted see section 6.4 of report 2. Historic use of car park and loss of car park for public use – noted. 3. Loss of green space – noted, plans as submitted will not result in the loss of existing green space 4. No vandalism has occurred - noted 5. Impact on footpath – see section 6.3 6. Impact on residential amenity - see section 6.2 and 6.3 7. Visual impact - see section 6.2 and 6.3 8.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the committee, and the Principal Planner presented the proposal and site information.

Committee discussion

The committee noted that emergency access rights would be provided and that the land was private.

“The Committee considered the report and noted it had been confirmed that provisions would be in place for emergency access rights and that the land in question was private.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillors Stone and Ridgway moved and seconded the motion to uphold the officer recommendation.

“It was moved by Councillor Stone and seconded by Councillor Ridgway that the officer recommendation be upheld.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee upheld the officer recommendation and granted permission subject to the conditions in the officer report.

“That the officer recommendation be upheld, and the application be GRANTED, subject to the conditions outlined in the officer’s report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission required compliance with approved plans, inward-opening dark green weld mesh gates, and biodiversity and ecological enhancement within six months.

“3 The fencing and gates shall be dark green weld mesh type fencing and any gates shall open into the site only.”

“4 Within 6 months of the commencement of the development hereby approved, a scheme for biodiversity and ecological enhancement shall be installed/provided at the development site. The ecological enhancement measures shall thereafter be retained and maintained throughout the life of the development.”

Officer report