4 homes at Maperton Dairy Unit, Maperton, Wincanton

Why officers recommended approval

Officers recommended approval despite flood authority concerns, because the fallback barn conversion permission would still go ahead and the new scheme improved flood mitigation.

“SSDC local plan policies SS1 and SS2 are not considered to be relevant to the application, because the Class Q fallback permission still applies, and the re-development of the barn will go ahead. • Precedence is not a material planning consideration because decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.”

Minutes

Objections

A resident, the Parish Council and the Division Member objected over disproportionate scale, flooding and harm to the village's character.

“There was one member of the public registered to speak against the application, as well as a representative from North Vale parish Council, whose comments included:”

“Maperton is a small rural settlement with only 18 existing properties, and this level of expansion is disproportionate. • The Class Q fallback permission is preferable because the dwellings would be smaller and more compact. • There is significant and frequent flooding at the site, which is downstream in its location. No sequential tests have been undertaken, the LLFA clearly objects to the proposal.”

Minutes

What the agent said

The agent said the scheme reduced building mass by 60%, improved drainage and used more stone than the fallback design.

What members debated

Members discussed the weight of the fallback permission, sequential flood testing and whether the housing mix was appropriate.

“Following questions, the Chair invited members to debate the application. Some of the issues raised and discussed include.”

“The development rights of Class Q fallback cases override the planning system. • Sequential testing should have been done on the site. • This is suburbanisation of a small rural settlement which is against SSDC Local Plan Policy. • 4 x 3 bed dwellings would have been a more acceptable housing mix.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved as per the officer's recommendation, carried by 7 votes to 5, subject to conditions and a biodiversity net gain agreement.

“At the conclusion of the debate, Cllr Mike Stanton made a proposal to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation. This was duly seconded by Cllr Oliver Patrick, and when put to the vote was carried by 7 in favour and 5 against.”

“That planning permission for demolition of existing agricultural buildings and erection of 4 residential dwellings (C3) with associated works at Maperton Dairy Unit, Maperton, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8EN be GRANTED subject to the planning conditions listed in the Officer’s report, and subject to the satisfactory completion of a S106 Legal Agreement to secure monitoring and management of Biodiversity Net Gain measures, with final determination to be delegated to the Head of…”

Minutes