Four detached dwellings at Land South Of 17 Heather Meadow, Fraddon

What was proposed

The application sought four open-market detached homes, comprising two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom dwellings, each with two parking spaces.

“The application seeks full planning consent for the construction of four open market detached dwellings. The dwellings would comprise 2 x 2 bedroom units and 2 x 3 bedroom units. Each unit would be of two storeys with render walls and a concrete tile roof.”

“Each dwelling would have a rear garden area and be served by two parking spaces on a driveway. There is a single point of access off the estate road through Heather Meadow.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site was undeveloped grassland and bramble scrub within Fraddon, adjoining Heather Meadow and outside but touching the neighbourhood plan settlement boundary.

“The application proposes the construction of four dwellings. The site is located within the settlement of Fraddon in the parish of St Enoder and has been created by sub- dividing a larger area of undeveloped land that lies adjacent to, and enclosed by, the built form of the settlement. To the north, the site adjoins the residential development of Heather Meadow. Access to the site is off the Heather Meadow estate road.”

“St Enoder has an adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), although its housing policies are now considered out of date. The NDP has designated settlement boundaries, and this site lies outside of but abutting the boundary.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier proposal for two dwellings was refused because it was outside the settlement boundary and did not provide a genuinely affordable-led scheme.

“PA23/07677 - Affordable led development for proposed construction of two dwellings, one open market and one affordable – Refused…”

“The site lies outside the settlement boundary for Indian Queens as identified by the St Enoder Neighbourhood Development Plan and does not constitute either infill or rounding off as defined by Policy 3 of the Cornwall Local Plan. It has not provided any exceptional circumstances for rural dwellings and is not previously developed land.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Neighbours objected to access, parking loss, disability-related needs, construction disruption, traffic, privacy, ecology, overdevelopment and the lack of turning space.

“The key planning related points have been summarised below:”

“Oppose: • Proposed access is used by existing residents for parking • One of the neighbouring households has disabled occupants who use the access to park their van as the drive is used for their car • Concerned about level of noise and disruption the construction process will create • Concerned about additional traffic movements created next to our house • Essential needs of elderly and disabled are fully taken into account • Plot 1 too close to our boundary causing…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative spoke against the application, and Councillor Cole questioned the treatment of the neighbourhood plan and suggested deferral.

What members debated

Members discussed the national policy position, access, parking, the lack of affordable housing, the settlement boundary and whether to defer for a neighbourhood plan review.

“A full and detailed debate ensued, the main points of which were noted as follows:-”

“The proposal was in accordance with National Planning Policy Framework; Concern regarding the access arrangements and lack of turning space; Concern regarding the adverse impact on the parking arrangements for existing residents; Concern that there was no affordable housing provision as part of the proposal; The site was located outside the defined settlement boundary; Reference was made to the option of deferral to await a review of the NDP; 7.”

Minutes