Single self-build dwelling at 6 Lilac House, London Road, Stanford Rivers

What was proposed

The application proposed a single-storey, two-bedroom detached self-build dwelling with shared access and four parking spaces.

“The application site is located within a cluster of residential properties which form linear development along London Road. There are residential properties to the northeast, southwest and south east. There is a mixed character within the surrounding area in terms of the types and styles of dwelling houses. Dwellings range from single storey bungalows to two storey semi-detached, detached and terrace style buildings that vary in terms of size, scale and finishing materials.”

“The proposal is for the construction of a new 2no. bed detached dwelling within the residential curtilage of Lilac House. The existing vehicle crossover along London Road would provide a shared access for the host dwelling and the proposed dwelling.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site forms part of Lilac House’s residential curtilage, has no existing building and lies within the Green Belt.

“The application site is on the west side of London Road. It forms part of the residential curtilage of the host dwelling, Lilac House. Lilac House is a two-storey semi-detached building with an external finish comprising painted render walls and tile roofs.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal was considered policy compliant and the draft legal agreement addressed its EFSAC impact.

“As set out above, the Council is unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. This engages the titled balance of paragraph 11, where proposals for developments with an outdated policy are to be approved without delay. This is subject to compliance with the relevant development plan policies and their location or impact on protected sites. In this case, the proposal complies with the relevant policies regulating the protected sites: the Green Belt and the EFSAC.”

“The proposal has been found by the Appeal Inspector to be policy compliant in respect of refusal reasons 1 and 2 of EPF/0523/24, and a draft S106 has been submitted to address refusal reason 3. For the reasons set out above, having regards to all the matters raised, the application is recommended for conditional planning permission.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected, while drainage, contaminated land and highways consultees raised no objection subject to conditions or the submitted plans.

“STANFORD RIVERS PARISH COUNCIL: Object – “The Parish Council accepts the Inspectors position in terms of green belt, and that the only matter to be resolved is the EFSAC contribution, however no consideration has been given to the fact that by allocating the land as a separate dwelling, the number of available parking spaces for the doner dwelling (Lilac House - thought to be a minimum of 4 bedrooms), will reduce to 2 spaces.”

“EFDC LAND DRAINAGE: No objection subject to imposition of conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard a presentation from the planning officer and representations from the parish council and the applicant’s agent.

The committee vote

Members voted in favour of the officers’ recommendation.

“The committee gave due consideration to the application, and voted in favour of the officers recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.

“The Committee voted to APPROVE the application (subject to S106 Legal Agreement).”

Minutes