One-bed holiday let at 8 Greenhill, Wirksworth

“25/00426/FUL Use of dwelling as a 1 bed holiday let with replacement doors and windows at 8 Greenhill Wirksworth Derbyshire DE4 4EN: Pending Consideration…”

“Policy PD2 states that the District Council will conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance. The property is a prominent older building which retains some traditional features such as timber sliding sash windows. It is located within the Wirksworth Conservation Area.”

“The property is adjoined to number 8 and shares a pedestrian access to the front entrance. The property has a private garden for sitting out.”

“The application proposes the renovation and use of an existing dwelling within the Conservation Area and town of Wirksworth, a fist tier settlement that can sustain growth for tourist accommodation. Whilst the proposal removes a three bed dwelling from the housing stock, the tourist accommodation would provide economic benefits to the area through local spend in the town and the surrounding tourist attractions and surrounding villages and towns.”

“The harms identified by objectors and consultees relating to highway matters and lack of parking, are not considered to outweigh the economic benefit conferred by the proposal due to factors addressed above. There will be a more intense use as a commercial leisure accommodation which is capable of amounting to a material change of use from the C3 use class as a permanent residential use to sui generis.”

“The Highway Authority object to the proposal. The proposed development would result in an intensification of use at a location where there is no off-street parking provision, on a narrow highway with no formal footway and limited capacity to safely accommodate increased vehicle and pedestrian activity.”

“Wirksworth TC object to the proposal citing non conformity with the Neighbourhood Plan Policy NP5 “Principal Residence Homes Planning permission for new dwellings will be subject to a restriction to ensure their occupation only as principal residence homes”. WTC state that there are an enormous amount of 2nd homes/holiday lets in this area and inadequate parking, coupled with a need for affordable housing in the vicinity.”

“Parking issues already exist as there is lack of parking in the town • Parking is already over used • Increase in cars to the town which is already suffering from lack of parking • Inconsiderate parking presents dangers as it prevents access by emergency vehicles • Visitors do not understand the importance of parking considerately, both for other residents for bin lorries/emergency vehicles.”

“Lack of parking / traffic implications from inconsiderate parking • Green Lane is narrow, one vehicle width street with no passing places, accesses are blocked when cars stop. A large holiday let will cause disruptions with unloading luggage etc. • Loss of affordable homes for local people • Greenhill is a uniquely built street with densely packed, low occupancy dwellings.”

“During debate Members raised concerns about highway issues and considerations, loss of affordable and rentable housing if converted to a holiday let and questioned the economic benefit to the area of the proposal.”

“Councillor David Hughes then proposed a further motion that planning permission is refused for the following reasons:”

“Highway consideration and issues that are unresolved, i.e. the proposed development would constrain the free and safe flow of traffic and increase risk of conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, detrimentally affecting highway safety.”