Five detached houses at Wormadale Whiteness, White Ness

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for five detached houses, a shared access road, a footpath and a drainage ditch.

“2025/215/PPP - Erection of 5 no. dwellinghouses, creation of access road, excavation of drainage ditch (Planning Permission in Principle), Wormadale, Whiteness, Shetland…”

“This is an application for planning permission in principle for five detached dwellinghouses to be erected at Wormadale, Whiteness. The five plots would each contain a single detached dwellinghouse that would be accessed via a shared road and new turning head that will connect to the existing public road to the northeast of the application site. A new footpath is also proposed to link the development site to the public road to the south.”

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The site

The gently sloping grazing site was beside the Burn of Wormadale, existing houses and grazing land, with post and wire fencing.

“Context of the Site The site itself is gently sloping and is bordered by the Burn of Wormadale to its west, three dwellinghouses to the south, one to the north and an area of grazing land to the east. It is currently used for grazing and is bound by post and wire fencing.”

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Related applications

Members considered the application separately but took account of an approved application for three houses immediately to the north.

“Reference was made to the condition attached to approval of the application, namely for an additional passing place on the existing road and the Planning Officer was asked to illustrate the position of the additional passing place to Members. In referring to the location plan slide, the Planning Officer illustrated the location of the additional passing place, which he clarified related to a separate previously approved application.”

“Reference was made to approval of the previous application for the three houses near to the proposed development site, clarity was sought as to whether the Committee were to consider the applications together or separately. The Planning Officer explained that each application would be treated on its own merits.”

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The officer recommendation

Officers considered the development acceptable in principle because it fitted the existing pattern, was sustainable and avoided sporadic housing.

“Principle of the Development The principle of the development is accepted as the area has a varying scale and density in that the development would fit in with the existing development pattern, it is in a sustainable location and would therefore contribute towards the aims of the ethos of local living by avoiding sporadic development of housing.”

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Who spoke

The applicant supported the proposal, while no representative of the objector attended.

Members’ debate

Members discussed road access, traffic, the relationship between nearby developments, the National Scenic Area and future conditions.

“During the discussion, it was advised that from viewing the overall area on Google Earth it would appear that both developments progressing would effectively join up the small groups of housing into one larger group, spanning from near the sea to the Westings chalets. It was also noted that the development site was in a National Scenic Area (NSA) and in that regard it was questioned whether the proposed development would have an adverse effect on the character of the area.”

“During debate, comment was made that whilst there was no issue with the building of the houses, there was concern with the access, and the condition and traffic flow on the road. It was noted at Section 4.5 of the report, the statement that “This application site does not fall within a defined Site with Development Potential nor an Area of Best Fit, as identified within the SLDP.” It was further commented on an addition to the condition relating to the road, that should the…”

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The vote

[name withheld] moved, and [name withheld] seconded, approval of the recommendation in the report.

“On the motion of [name withheld], seconded by [name withheld], the Committee approved the recommendation in the report.”

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The decision

The Committee approved the application subject to the conditions detailed in the report and Appendix 2.

“CONSIDERED the recommendations in this report; and…”

“APPROVED the application subject to the conditions detailed in the report and attached as Appendix 2.”

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