Five bungalows with garages at Land South West Of 16 London Road, Chatteris

What was proposed

Five single-storey four-bedroom homes, three detached garages and a repositioned, widened access were proposed.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of five single- storey, four-bedroom dwellings and three detached garages, in addition to repositioning and widening of the existing vehicular access.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site included grassland, trees and a derelict shelter beside a Grade II listed house within and partly beyond the conservation area.

“The western extent of the application site comprises grassland and trees located immediately to the west of the residential curtilage of No.16 London Road. This parcel of land was historically used for agricultural purposes and includes a small derelict shelter.”

“The listed building is located wholly within the Chatteris conservation area. The remainder of the site is located partly within, and partly outside of, the Chatteris conservation area.”

Officer report

Why officers advised refusal

Officers found medium less-than-substantial heritage harm from the housing estate, widened access and vegetation loss, which limited public benefits could not outweigh.

“By virtue of building a housing estate within the curtilage of the host Grade II listed building, including the re-siting and substantial increase in width of the access and the removal of the established trees and hedging along the frontage of the site, the proposed development would cause less than substantial (medium on the spectrum) harm to the character and appearance of the Chatteris conservation area and the setting of the host Grade II listed building (No.16…”

“In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 215 of the NPPF, the less than substantial (medium on the spectrum) harm to the character and appearance of the Chatteris conservation area and the setting of the host Grade II listed building has been weighed against the public benefits of the proposal.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Two letters supported the application and nine letters objected, raising concerns including heritage, amenity, trees, drainage, biodiversity and highway safety.

“Objecting Comments Officer Response Impact on listed building which should retain adequate gardens / setting. Addressed in ‘Character and heritage assets’ section of this report. Impacts on the Chatteris conservation area. Addressed in ‘Character and heritage assets’ section of this report. Inadequate Heritage Statement. Addressed in ‘Character and heritage assets’ section of this report. Density of development.”

“Biodiversity impacts. Addressed in ‘Biodiversity’ section of this report. Additional entrance / exit onto the already congested London Road. Addressed in ‘Highway safety and parking provision’ section of this report. Inadequate access for emergency services The proposed access and shared driveway is of appropriate width to facilitate accessibility for emergency service vehicles.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent said the design and landscaping reduced heritage impacts and asked members to grant permission.

Members’ debate

Members considered nearby backland development, the site’s size, vegetation, distance from the listed building and whether heritage harm would result.

“Councillor Imafidon expressed the view it is a good application, and the actual dwellings will stand way back from the host dwelling. He added that with the vegetation and the trees which are in place then it is unlikely that the development would be visible from the main road anyway. Councillor Imafidon added that he does not believe that it is detrimental to the Grade 2 Listed Building and he will be happy to support the application.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor Benney proposed, Councillor Murphy seconded, and members agreed to grant permission against the officer recommendation.

“Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Murphy and agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer’s recommendation with conditions delegated to officers to add appropriate conditions.”

Minutes

The decision and reasons

The application was granted because members considered development in the conservation area established, the site capable of accommodating the homes and benefits greater than any harm.

“Members did not support the officer’s recommendation of refusal as they feel that development within the Conservation Area has been demonstrated already, the application site is a large garden which will be able to accommodate the dwellings, it will not be detrimental to the host building and the community benefit outweighs any harm to the Listed Building.”

Minutes