Water pumping station dwelling at Pumping Station West of Chestnut Farm House Ludford Road, Binbrook

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a former pumping station into one modest two-bedroom dwelling, with an extension, parking, solar panels and site improvements.

“The proposal is a change of use and to extend the pumping station to create a single residential dwelling. The existing structure will maintain its original scale, openings and red brick facade. The extension will feature large opening to maximise views outwards across the landscape, this will contrast with the existing small openings.”

“The landscape boundary around the existing structure will have a new native species hedge planted with post and rail fence to help soften the structure within the landscape. The existing metal and wire fence will be removed. Two new car spaces will be created to service the new dwelling.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site consists of two enclosed, overgrown parcels west of the village, within the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB and near a public footpath.

“The site comprises of two small parcels of land just to the west of the main part of Binbrook village. The main parcel is a former water pumping station and is enclosed by a chain link fence. Within the site is a small, flat roof structure building with the remaining grounds largely overgrown. This is approx. 130m west of the Chestnut Farmhouse, the last dwelling on the southern tip of the village.”

“The whole site and surroundings is part of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. It’s a typical undulating landscaping with the track route and site in a slight dip with rising land to the north and south. Fields all around are in agricultural use. There is a public footpath running diagonally across the access track leading to the site. This continues into the village to the northeast and rises to the southwest.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

There was no direct site history, but three earlier permissions related to buildings at Chestnut Farm House.

“None direct but in relation to Chestnut Farm House:”

“396/96 - Planning Permission - Erection of an outbuilding for storage of domestic and private vehicles and erection of 2 no. stables for private use. (one building for all uses proposed). Approved and implemented. Relates to the main large building immediately south of the access that runs through the site.”

Officer report

Access and neighbour impact

The proposed residential use would increase traffic through private grounds, but officers considered the two-bedroom dwelling a low traffic generator and the impact acceptable.

“The key issue relates to the impact on the residential amenity of Chestnut House Farm. This property is the last house on the west side of Ludford Road at the southern end of the village. It’s a large, detached housing siting within grounds dominated by mature trees and vegetation. It includes grounds to the north of the house where there’s an open grassed area and a number of large outbuildings in uses associated with the dwelling.”

“Regard is given to the historic use and the traffic generation that would incur in connection of that use through the site. That would inconvenience the owner to some degree but nevertheless is an existing situation and the level of use could legitimately fluctuate in connection with at use. It’s very low at the moment since decommissioning and relatively low whilst operational.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no speakers on the application.

Committee debate

Members discussed alternative access, the private access arrangement, whether a condition could address civil matters, the site’s improvement and flooding.

“- A Member queried whether there was alternative access to the proposed development site to which the Senior Planning Officer responded he was not aware of any. Members were advised that access through a third party was an unusual situation and was a private arrangement which may have to be managed differently.”

“PL 8 - A Member queried whether a condition could be added to put a hold on the development until the civil matter was resolved.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the application in line with the officer recommendation by 10 votes to 1, with 1 abstention.

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal for approval in line with officer recommendation was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions covering timing, approved plans, contamination, materials, access, solar panels, boundaries, water use and lighting.

“Notwithstanding the submitted details, full details of the proposed solar panels must be submitted to the Local planning Authority for written approval. The height must not exceed the height of the parapet to the approved dwelling. Only the approved solar panels may be installed.”

“Notwithstanding the submitted details, no external lighting shall be installed on site unless details of such lighting, including design, location, the intensity of illumination and fields of illumination, have been first submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any external lighting that is installed must accord with the details so approved.”

Minutes