One detached dwelling at Land Adj Ashby View, Barton Street, Ashby cum Fenby

The site

The site was a grassed horse paddock beside residential properties, with open paddocks to the east and timber fencing, gates and landscaping.

“SITE The site is to the easterly side of Barton Street in Ashby cum Fenby. The site is currently used as a horse paddock. It is a grassed area with an outbuilding situated within it. To the north and south of the site lies residential properties and to the far east is open paddocks associated with Willow Lakes. The existing boundaries consist of timber fencing, gates and landscaping. RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY No relevant planning history.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the site unsustainable and the development harmful to the area's openness, verdant character and visual amenity.

“- Visual Amenity - Neighbouring Amenity - Highways and Parking - Drainage - Ecology and Landscaping Principle of Development and Character The site is located outside of any of the defined development boundaries on the NELLP inset maps and outside the development boundary for Ashby Cum Fenby. Whilst there are a cluster of other dwellings and the Willow Lakes complex close to the site it is considered to be in the open countryside under Policy 5 of the NELLP.”

“The site is located within the open countryside with the National Landscape boundary (former AONB designation) directly to the west and so the site is within the setting of the National Landscape.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and applicant supported the proposal, describing it as a family home that would fit the area and support horse keeping.

What members debated

Members debated whether the site was infill or open countryside, its visual impact, nearby services, sustainability and previous permissions elsewhere.

“[name withheld] said that there was no extant planning permission on the site. He said that the site was opposite national landscape. [name withheld] said that any infill development would be an intrusion to the open countryside and that had to be considered. He said that Willow Lakes was a site that was used predominantly for leisure use and that was not a reason to justify…”

“NO RESTRICTIONS residential development. [name withheld] said that the site was not close to services and that Ashby Cum Fenby was not defined as a main settlement. He said that the tilted balance had been taken into consideration, but that needed to be balanced against visual intrusion on the open countryside and the issue of sustainability.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted six for approval, three against and one abstention, with one member advised not to vote.

“Councillor Hudson said that the applicant was his wife’s hairdresser. [name withheld] advised that he not take part in the vote.”

“(Note - the committee voted 6 for 3 against and 1 abstention for the application to be approved.)”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved with conditions after members concluded it would not harm the area's character or visual appearance and was sustainable.

“[name withheld] said that based on the debate, committee members felt that there would not be a detrimental impact to the character of the area or a detrimental visual impact. He asked whether members felt that the development was sustainable.”

“RESOLVED – That the application be approved with conditions.”

Minutes