Two detached dwellings at Land At Palmers Lane, Chrishall, Royston

Earlier permission

A 2014 permission covered four affordable homes and one detached dwelling; the affordable homes and playing-field extensions were built, but the single dwelling remained unbuilt.

“In 2014, full planning permission was granted on the wider site for residential development for the erection of 4 No. affordable dwellings, parking and access road together with a single detached dwelling and garage, with separate access on the northern side of Jigneys Meadow. The scheme also includes the provision of a permanent access to the playing field within the meadow. The playing field is envisaged to be transferred to the Parish Council.”

“The current application seeks planning permission for the erection of two detached dwellinghouses, each with an associated garage, within the site boundary. Planning permission was previously granted for a single detached four-bedroom dwelling on the land, designed in a contemporary style with an asymmetric roof form that complemented the character of existing properties along Langford Drive. While the approved scheme remains implementable, the current plot size is…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A councillor and the parish council spoke against the application, while the agent spoke in support.

Members’ concerns

Members questioned whether the proposal was infill and raised concerns about habitats, the hedge, design, overdevelopment, parking, access and possible refusal.

“Members discussed: • The application not being considered to be infill. • Concerns about the proximity to the habitats and the need to protect the natural habitats. • Concerns about the front hedge and the Priority habitats. • Concerns that the proposed two dwellings looked very good but were in the wrong location; they represented overdevelopment, overcrowding and the design was out of context. • Concerns about awkwardly accessible parking spaces.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee authorised refusal because the layout, scale and amount of development created a cramped, contrived form that harmed local character and failed to provide a high design standard.

“Councillor Freeman proposed refusal on the grounds of layout, scale and quantum of development, resulting in a visually cramped and contrived form of development, that fails to respond to the site and local character. Additionally, there was concern about the position and size of private amenity spaces and layout and useability of the parking and turning areas, therefore failing to achieve a high standard of design and layout.”

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to refuse permission for the development as outlined above.”

Minutes