Two detached dwellings at 35 Beresford Avenue, Ashbourne

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for up to two detached homes, with all matters reserved and indicative parking, gardens and boundaries shown.

“Outline planning permission is sought with all matters reserved for two detached dwellinghouses. As all matters are reserved, the layouts are indicative but show two detached houses with a car parking space apiece (along with one car parking space for no. 35 sharing the same access with some hard standing for turning of vehicles). Front and rear gardens would be provided with 1.8 metre fencing to act as boundaries between the existing and proposed residential units.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site forms part of a house’s garden in an established residential area within the Ashbourne settlement boundary, with mature vegetation and trees.

“The site comprises 0.09 hectares and forms part of the garden of 35 Beresford Avenue which is an end of terrace two storey house. The site is accessed by the property’s driveway. The boundary screening is significant with mature vegetation and trees with a wall and natural screening on its southern boundary.”

“The site is situated in an established residential area within the Ashbourne Settlement Framework Boundary. The land is not subject to any other local plan designation or constraints.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the site was sustainable, the homes could fit without appearing cramped, and the proposal was acceptable against relevant policies.

“The proposed housing development is in accordance with Policy HC1 of the Local Plan and Policy HOU 1 of the adopted Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan. The proposal would provide two houses and as such make a modest contribution to the borough’s housing land supply as a windfall site. Accordingly, subject to all other relevant planning policy and guidance and other material planning considerations the scheme is acceptable in principle.”

“The indicative plan shows that two houses can be accommodated on the site with gardens and car parking without appearing unduly cramped. The form of development appears compatible with the surrounding area. The proposal is considered to satisfy the general principles of Policies S3 and PD1 of the Adopted Derbyshire Dales Local Plan (2017).”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered the principle of development, character, residential amenity, trees, biodiversity, wildlife, highways and the planning balance.

“Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that applications for planning permission under the Act are determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The development plan for the purposes of the Act is the Adopted Derbyshire Dales Local Plan (2017) and the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan (2021).”

“Principle of Development • Impact on Character and Appearance of the area • Residential Amenity • Impact on trees, biodiversity and wildlife • Highways • Planning Balance and Conclusions…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council objected over access, traffic and the building line, while the highways authority sought more access and parking information and wildlife concerns were addressed.

“Below is a summary of the consultation responses received at the time of writing this report. Responses are available to view in full on the Council’s website.”

“Consultee Name Position Date Comments Ashbourne Town Council Objection 11.03.25 Concerns relating to access and impact of traffic and intrusion of building line. Local Highway Authority (Derbyshire County Council) Comments 12.03.25 Insufficient information as to means of access and plans show insufficient off street car parking, 2 spaces per dwelling/plot up to a maximum of 3 no.”

Officer report

Objections received

Seven representations objected on grounds including unsuitable access, parking pressure, privacy, construction disruption, wildlife, safety, emergency access and drainage.

“Seven representations have been received objecting to the application on the following grounds: • Access to the site is unsuitable and restricted, it is shared with no. • Insufficient car parking, should be at least two spaces per house • Increasing in car parking, Beresford Avenue already experiences parking congestion • Loss of privacy and overlooking • Disruption during the building works • Loss of green space impact on wildlife habitats • Safety issues for…”

“Ward Cllr Lees exercised his right to call in the application as the proximity and building line of the proposed development may cause harm to (the adjoining properties) and wished it to go before Committee and for a committee site visit to be undertaken…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application and a town councillor spoke against it.

Members’ questions

Members asked about the number of homes, driveway width, consultation with highways, the footpath, minimum access width and possible conditions.

“Whether residents have had the opportunity to speak with Derbyshire County Councils Highway Authority about the access driveway…”

“Whether the footpath is included in the width of the access driveway…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to the report’s conditions, with delegated authority for amendments and an added construction parking restriction.

“That planning permission is approved subject to conditions as set out in the report with delegated authority to the Director of Place and Economy to approve any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary.”

“That the construction management plan condition be amended to include explicit provision that no vehicles shall be parked on the driveway at any time during the construction phase of the development.”

Minutes