Agenda and minutes

*DM&L.31    

There were apologies for absence from Cllr M Renders for whom Cllr R Cheadle was substituting and Cllr C Mott for whom Cllr N Heyworth was substituting.                          .

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests and Non-Registerable Interests including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

*DM&L.32        

Cllr Cheadle declared an interest in application 2530/21/FUL by virtue of being the Chairman of Buckland Monachorum Parish Council Planning Committee and therefore there was a real possibility that he might be seen to be biased or to have pre-determined the application. He remained in the room for this application but did not take part in the debate or vote. He was a registered speaker in his capacity as Ward Member.

To consider those items which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered by the Meeting as matters of urgency (if any). 

*DM&L.33

There was no urgent business brought forward to this meeting.

Meeting held on 14 December 2021

*DM&L.34        

The Minutes of the Development Management and Licensing Committee Meeting held on 12th December 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

To see Letters of Representation and further supplementary information relating to any of the planning applications on the agenda, please select the following link and enter the relevant Reference number: http://westdevon.gov.uk/searchlanding

*DM&L.35        

The Committee proceeded to consider the report that had been prepared by the relevant Development Management Specialists on each of the following Applications and considered also the comments of the Town and Parish Councils together with other representations received, which were listed within the presented agenda report and summarised below:

(a)   Application No: 0811/21/FUL      Ward: Buckland Monachorum

Site Address: Axtown Lodge, Green Lane, Yelverton

Development: Proposed single-story dwelling with associated landscaping, including provision of Devon bank and tree planting.

RECOMMENDATION: Refusal

Reasons for refusal:

1.      The proposed development is located in the countryside, outside of any defined settlement, without sufficient essential justification or access to basic services and facilities, contrary to Policies SPT1, SPT2, TTV1 and TTV26 of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan and paragraphs 7, 8, 79 and 80 of the NPPF 2021.

2.      The proposed dwelling would lead to a change in character to the site, harmful to the rural landscape within which it sits, contrary to policy DEV23 of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan and para’s 174 of the NPPF 2021

3.      The proposal for a 3 / 4 bedroom dwelling fails to meet the local housing needs and that of the District for smaller dwellings and for those with specific needs as outlined in Policy DEV8 of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan and para. 78 of the NPPF 2021.

4.      The proposal does not provide sufficient carbon reduction measures, in line with the energy hierarchy and contrary to policy DEV32 of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan, and para. 154 (b) of the NPPF 2021.

5.      The proposal to introduce a new dwelling in this location which lies within the Zone of Influence of the Tamar Estuaries SAC, with no mitigation proposed, creates the potential for harm to the integrity of the European site contrary to policy DEV26 of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan and para. 174 of the NPPF 2021.

Speakers who addressed the Committee on the application were:

Objector:  Mr Andrew Pett

Supporter: Mr Mark Evans

      West Devon Borough Council Ward Member: Cllr R Cheadle

Mr Pett spoke against the application. In doing so, he referred to previous planning inspectors’ decisions on this site and an adjoining site. He referred to their conclusions highlighting the unacceptable impact on landscape and AONB despite the appeal developments including extensive landscaping proposals.

Mr Mark Evans, agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application citing the Council’s recently declared housing emergency. He said that the proposal had followed the pre-application advice. Landscaping scheme had been agreed with officers as preserving and enhancing the AONB.  He drew the Committee’s attention to the Council’s Supplementary Planning Document and in particular that a                  three-bed dwelling with a study was considered to be a three-bed dwelling for the purpose of Policy Dev8.

Cllr Cheadle spoke as Ward Member and as Chairman of the Buckland Monachorum Parish Council Planning Committee.  ...  view the full minutes text for item *DM&L .43

*DM&L.36     

The Head of Development Management updated the Members on the recently determined planning appeals.  In so doing, he made particular reference to: 3960/20/TPO which was dismissed at appeal.

*DM&L.37 

The Head of Planning took Members through the undetermined Major applications. The Monitoring Officer said he would give an update on the S106 on Plymouth Road application once he has heard from the Solicitors acting on behalf on the Council.