Underground HVAC plant room at Blyth Manor Blyth Estate, Huntingfield

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for an underground plant room serving heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the guest accommodation.

“3.Proposal 3.1The proposal is for a ground plant room containing a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) associated with the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) requirements for the property Blyth Barn approved within DC/24/4213/FUL. 3.2The proposed structures are located underground and measure 5.5m x 5.5m and have a depth of 2.5m and are located within a newly planted woodland approximately 60m to the northwest of the main entrance to the venue.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the noise mitigation was considered effective and the proposal would not unacceptably harm amenity, landscape, heritage or ecology.

“Paragraph 135 of the NPPF has similar requirements 7.5A Noise impact Assessment (NIA) has been submitted with this application, which assesses the impact of the proposal on noise sensitive receptors within the village of Huntingfield as highlighted in Paragraph 1.2 of the report. 7.6It is highlighted in the report that the noise data for the assessment was taken from a noise survey undertaken in February 2021 by Sharps Redmore.”

“Landscape impact 7.15The Principal Landscape and Arboricultural Officer has considered the application and is of the view that, as this installation will be embedded within existing emerging new woodland, it will be well screened, and the described log barrier will further provide screening. The installation will have no meaningful visibility from the surrounding sensitive valley landscape or the Listed parkland of Heveningham Hall.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Protection required noise mitigation and maintenance, while ecology and landscape consultees raised no substantive objections.

“As this information, and any suggestion, or agreement isn't with the committee at the time of writing, this hearing should be deferred to the next suitable committee date when this information is available. 2.”

“A regular and robust maintenance schedule for both the equipment and the acoustic barrier should be undertaken to ensure all aspects of the development are operating as required. I would like to remind the applicant of the following: Statutory Nuisance Note: The applicant should be aware that noise complaints received by the Environmental Protection Team will be investigated under the Environmental Protection Act (Section 79) and can result in an abatement notice being…”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Eleven representations, the parish council and the ward member objected over noise, amenity, rural character, policy conflict and retrospective development.

“Policy Conflict This proposal contravenes multiple policies in the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan: · SCLP10.3 (Environmental Quality): Requires development to minimise and, where possible, reduce all forms of pollution. · SCLP11.2 (Residential Amenity): Development must not cause unacceptable impacts on the amenity of nearby residents, including through noise and disturbance.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant, a ward member, planning officers and an Environmental Protection Officer addressed the committee about noise, planning history and mitigation.

The committee voted

The committee approved the application by majority on a motion proposed by one councillor and seconded by another.

“On the recommendation of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Pitchers it was by majority RESOLVED”

Minutes

What was decided

The application was approved subject to approved plans, operation under the noise assessment and installation of the specified acoustic barrier.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions summarised below. Conditions: 1.Approved Plans 2.Development to be carried out and operated in accordance with Noise Impact Assessment 3.Installation of acoustic barrier in accordance with specification.”

Minutes