Three-bedroom dwelling and stables at Land Between Witham Grange And Cleeve Acre, Witham on the Hill

What was proposed

The application proposed a three-bedroom dwelling, detached stable block with three stables and storage, a car port, access and landscaping.

“Description of Site 1.1 The application site lies to the southern side of Bottom Street, within the village of Witham on the Hill. Witham on the Hill is a village that is located approximately 6 miles south-west of the market town of Bourne and 8 miles north of Stamford. The site consists of a parcel of undeveloped land, which appears to comprise agricultural land in its current form.”

“The dwelling would have natural limestone walls with handmade clay plain tiles on the roof, and timber framed light green double glazed windows with stone lintels, with timber framed doors with composite/timber panels. Rainwater goods would be black upvc. The dwelling would have solar panels on the roof on the south elevation. The stable block would be timber horizontal cladding and timber posts, with handmade clay plain tiles to match the dwelling house.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals for a dwelling and garage or stable block were refused in 1999 and 2023.

“Refused by delegated decision 13 th June 2023 S99/0398 Erection of dwelling and garage Refused 1 st June 1999 4 Planning Policies and Documents 4.1 South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2036 (Adopted January 2020) Policy SD1 - The Principles of Sustainable Development in South Kesteven Policy SP1 - Spatial Strategy Policy SP2 - Settlement Hierarchy Policy SP4 - Development on the Edge of Settlements Policy DE1 - Promoting Good Quality Design Policy EN2 - Protecting Biodiversity and…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the site accessible to village amenities, the design appropriate, heritage impacts acceptable and highways arrangements satisfactory.

“To the south of the village, the houses are set back from the public highway by generous front gardens, and there is a footway on one or both sides of the carriageway. There is a mixture of detached and semidetached houses and bungalows. Further north on Elm Avenue, the residences still front the carriageway but more compact in form and without the generous front gardens.”

“The public right of way to the west of the site is to be maintained, providing an option to still observe the long-distance views to the south. The potential impacts upon the setting of the grade I listed church would be considered to be minor at most. The site is framed by two dwellings, both of which are dating from the second half of the 20th century. The proposed building is therefore not fully out of keeping with this section of the village.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Environmental Protection and highways raised no objections, while the Parish Council objected and the rights of way team requested protection of the footpath.

“Policy ID2 - Transport and Strategic Transport Infrastructure Policy SB1 - Sustainable Building 4.2 Design Guidelines Supplementary Planning Document (Adopted November 2021) 4.3 National Planning Policy Framework (Published December 2024) Section 5 - Delivering a sufficient supply of homes Section 9 – Promoting Sustainable Transport Section 12 - Achieving well-designed and beautiful places 5 Representations Received 5.1 SKDC Environmental Protection 5.1.1 No objections…”

“Based on the material and design proposed, there development is not considered to cause harm to the setting of the Witham on The Hill Conservation Area. Lincolnshire County Council (Highways and SuDS) 5.6.1 No Objections 5.6.2 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED 5.6.3 Rights of Way & Countryside Access Team 5.6.4 Thank you for providing details of the above planning application. The proposed development affects Witham on the Hill Public Footpath No. 1.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Parish Council spoke against the proposal, while the applicant and agent spoke in support.

What members debated

Members discussed whether the proposal was infill or linear development, its previous refusal, stable use, access, the footpath, heritage and ecology.

“In relation to the stable block, further concern was raised on horse boxes accessing the stable and travelling down the roads to access the site. • The main objections to the proposal were queried.”

“One Member noted the tilted balance required harms to be identified and quantified, however, could not see them within the report. • Members discussed the previous reasons for refusal and how the proposed development had changed.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee agreed to grant planning permission subject to conditions controlling plans, landscaping, trees, sustainable measures, future development and stable use.

“It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions:”

“Within a period of five years from the first occupation of the final dwelling/unit of the development hereby permitted, any trees or plants provided as part of the approved soft landscaping scheme, that die or become, in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, seriously damaged or defective, shall be replaced in the first planting season following any such loss with a specimen of the same size and species as was approved in condition above unless otherwise agreed by…”

Minutes