Self-build dwelling conversion at Little Congham House Grimston Road, Congham, King's Lynn

What was proposed

The application proposed converting an outbuilding into one self-build dwelling, with extensions and a cart shed, after dividing the garden of Little Congham House.

“This application is for the proposed self-build conversion of an outbuilding to a single dwelling with extensions and erection of a cart shed.”

“This application is for the conversion of an outbuilding with extensions to create a self-build dwelling and erection of cart shed following the sub-division of the garden land of Little Congham House.”

Officer report

The site

The site was about 1,439 square metres within Congham’s development boundary and contained an outbuilding made from carrstone, knapped flint, chalk and brick.

“The application site is located within the Congham development boundary as seen within the policies map as defined by the Local Plan 2021-2040 and Figure 3: Strategic gaps of Grimston, Pott Row, Roydon and Congham Neighbourhood Plan.”

“The site comprises an area of land measuring approx. 1439 sqm and accommodates an outbuilding constructed of a variety of materials such as carrstone, knapped flint, chalk and brick.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval subject to securing the dwelling as a self-build through a legal agreement, with refusal if reasonable progress was not made within four months.

“A) APPROVE subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure the dwelling as a self-build dwelling. If the agreement is not completed within 4 months of the committee resolution, but reasonable progress has been made, delegated authority is granted to the Assistant Director/Planning Control Manger to continue negotiation and complete the agreement and issue the decision.”

“B) REFUSE If in the opinion of the Assistant Director/Planning Control Manager no reasonable progress is made to complete the legal agreement within 4 months of the date of the committee resolution, the application is REFUSED on the failure to secure the dwelling as a self-build in line with LP31.”

Officer report

Public comments

Four objections and three supporting comments followed amended plans, covering views, light, privacy, flooding, design, heritage, construction and the proposed building’s benefits.

“Following amendments there were FOUR comments received in OBJECTION and THREE comments received in SUPPORT.”

“The comments in OBJECTION raised the following: • The cart shed would obstruct views, be overbearing, reduce natural light, create a sense of enclosure to neighbouring dwellings, • The cart shed would be out of keeping for the established character of the area, • Disruption to neighbouring dwellings during the construction phase, • Loss of privacy, increase overlooking and overbearing impact, • To protect privacy, safety and minimise impact to neighbouring dwellings the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporting speaker, an objector for the Parish Council and Councillor de Whalley addressed the committee.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed flooding, the extension’s scale and design, zinc roofing, neighbouring amenity and whether permitted development rights should be removed.

“Committee members discussed the scale and design of the proposed extension, the use of zinc roofing, and the impact on neighbouring amenity. Officers confirmed that the design was considered appropriate for the context, and that the extension would not constitute overdevelopment. The use of zinc was deemed acceptable due to its colour and compatibility with local materials.”

“Councillor Lintern queried whether permitted development rights should be removed to prevent further extensions or alterations. Officers explained that, as the site was within the development boundary and the proposal was considered acceptable in scale, removal of permitted development rights was not deemed necessary.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted unanimously for approval with strengthened groundwater and surface-water management wording in condition 11.

“The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application and to strengthen condition 11 on groundwater and surface water management and, after having been put to the vote, was carried unanimously.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to a legal agreement securing the dwelling as self-build, with delegated authority if reasonable progress continued.

“(A) APPROVED subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure the dwelling as a self-build dwelling. If the agreement is not completed within 4 months of the Committee resolution but reasonable progress has been made, delegated authority is granted to the Assistant Director / Planning Control Manager to continue negotiation to complete the agreement and issue the decision and to strengthen condition 11 on groundwater and surface water management.”

Minutes

If the agreement is not completed

The application would be refused if reasonable progress was not made within four months to complete the legal agreement securing the self-build dwelling.

“(B) REFUSED If in the opinion of the Assistant Director / Planning Control Manager no reasonable progress is being made to complete the legal agreement within 4 months of the date of the Committee resolution, the application is refused on the failure to secure the dwelling as a self-build in line with LP31.”

Minutes