2 new houses at Land North of Leys Hill Bishopswood, Ross-on-Wye

Two houses proposed on a hillside

The application was for two dwellings on land north of Leys Hill, reduced from an original three houses during the application process.

“In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained the application was contrary to Walford neighbourhood development plan (NDP) policy 17 and core strategy policy RA2 as the proposal did not meet the local housing need of 2/3 bedroom houses.”

“The application proposed two additional dwellings in the local area which was not felt to be excessive and did not pose an adverse impact on the local landscape; • It was doubted whether the construction of 2/3 bedroom houses or affordable housing in the area was viable; • The site was allocated for development in the NDP but cumulative development in the area was a concern; • The proposed houses were felt to be in keeping with the style locally and the topography of the…”

Minutes

Objector, parish council and agent spoke

A statement was read for the parish council, a resident objected, and the applicant's agent spoke in support.

Councillor said houses harmed the landscape

The ward councillor said the houses did not meet local housing need and their size and design would harm the national landscape, contrary to local policy.

“The size, scale, bulk and design of the houses posed a harmful impact on the landscape which was contrary to core strategy policies SS6, RA1, RA2, LD1 and NDP policies 2 and 4.”

Minutes

Officers defended the visual assessment

Officers said the assessment had used cross-valley views and that the applicant would be asked to keep groundworks on a modest scale.

“The development manager provided the following points of clarification:”

“the LVIA had used views from across the valley and it was considered that the proposed houses would be seen within the context of other development adjacent to site. The cladding and timber roofing were felt to be less prominent than render; and • the applicant would be engaged to seek assurance that the groundworks on site would be within a scale that was not obtrusive on the landscape.”

Minutes

Committee approved by simple majority

The committee voted to approve the application by a simple majority, in line with the officer recommendation, despite the ward councillor urging refusal.

“The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate. He explained that the application did not address local housing needs and was in disregard of a national landscape. The committee was urged to refuse the application.”

“Councillor Polly Andrews proposed and councillor Dave Davis seconded a motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote and carried by a simple majority.”

Minutes