Eight homes at 222 Lynn Road, Wisbech

What was proposed

The application sought eight two-storey homes, including two detached houses and two terraces, after demolishing the existing frontage buildings.

“PROPOSAL 3.1 The proposal seeks full planning permission for the erection of 8 x dwellings including the demolition of the existing buildings to the frontage of the site.”

“The proposed dwellings are all two-storey in nature, with two detached properties located at the front of the site in the location of the existing building that is to be demolished, with two sets of three terraced properties located in the rearmost part of the site.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The vacant site was formerly used for a conservatory business and is surrounded by homes; outline permission already allowed up to three dwellings.

“The application site is located at 222 Lynn Road in Wisbech. The site and associated land previously operated for commercial purposes for a business selling conservatories, although the site has been unoccupied for approximately 9 months.”

“There is an extant outline planning permission on site for the erection of up to 3no. dwellings approved under F/YR22/0920/O.”

Officer report

Why officers advised refusal

Officers considered the scheme acceptable in principle but found problems with its layout, amenities, flooding and access arrangements.

“The proposal seeks the erection of no. dwelling, following the demolition of an existing two-storey building on site. The site is located in the market town of Wisbech and is therefore in a sustainable location for new development. The proposal is therefore considered to be acceptable in principle. 1.3.”

“The application site is located in Flood Zone 2 and fails to pass both the Sequential and Exception Test. The proposed development is therefore at an unacceptable and unjustified risk of flooding. Finally, the proposed access arrangements lack the detail to demonstrate that pedestrian movements will be adequately incorporated, and that it would not compromise the use of the highway into Fen Close. 1.7.”

Officer report

What the agent said

The agent said the scheme would provide needed housing on a sustainable brownfield site, retain trees and address an existing non-residential use.

What members debated

Members discussed the trees, gardens, parking, refuse access, flooding and whether eight homes represented an appropriate use of the constrained site.

“Councillor Benney made the point that these trees will come down at some time as trees do die and it is about the quality of the living space versus the trees and whilst he understands the issue of viability from the previous application it seems to be cramming dwellings onto the site due to the trees and putting car parking in front of one of the dwellings, with the proposal not being ideal. He questions the thinking about putting trees before people’s quality of living.”

“He made the point that the site is in Flood Zone 2, committee keep discussing flood zones and he would be more concerned about this than dustcarts and layout. • Councillor Connor stated that he cannot remember this site flooding, even in the great flood which occurred he believes in 1981. • Councillor Meekins stated that the great flood was in 1978, but he does feel it is putting ‘a quart into a pint pot’ and 8 dwellings are being squeezed in.”

Minutes

How members voted

Members agreed a proposal to grant permission against the officer recommendation, with authority delegated to officers to apply conditions.

“Proposed by Councillor Marks, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and agreed that the application be GRANTED against officer’s recommendation, with authority delegated to officers to apply conditions.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Permission was granted because members considered the scheme a good use of brownfield land, retaining trees while providing homes in Wisbech.

“Members do not support the officer’s recommendation of refusal of planning permission as they feel that it is a good use of land with no trees being damaged or removed, it is a brownfield site, the site lies within Flood Zone 2 and homes are required in Wisbech.”

Minutes