Agenda item

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*P&L 49         

The Committee considered the applications prepared by the Development Management Specialists and considered also the comments of Town and Parish Councils together with other representations received, which were listed within the presented agenda reports and summarised below, and RESOLVED:

(a)      Application No:  1579/16/VAR        Ward: Milton Ford

Site Address: Lamber Hey, 12 Venn Hill, Milton Abbot, PL19 0NY

Variation of condition No.2 (Approved Plans) of planning consent 01830/2011 to allow for minor material amendments

RECOMMENDATION:            Conditional Approval

COMMITTEE DECISION:   Defer for further information following the site inspection

(b)    Application No:  2686/16/FUL Ward: Tavistock North

Site Address: Land adjacent to Fernside, Crease Lane, Tavistock PL19 8EW

Residential development for 4 No. detached dwellings with integral garages, external parking and new access off Crease Lane

Speakers included:  Objector – Mrs Allen:  Supporter – Mr Elliot Jones:  Town Council – Cllr Dr Ward:  Ward Members – Cllrs J Moody and J Sheldon

RECOMMENDATION:            Delegate to COP Lead Development Management in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee to approve subject to completion of a Section 106 legal agreement

COMMITTEE DECISION:  Defer for Site Inspection

(c)  Application No:  00938/2015               Ward: Okehampton

Site Address: Land adjacent to Castleford, Castle Road, Okehampton, EX20 1DD

Erection of two residential dwellings

Speakers included:  Town Council – Cllr A F Leech:  Ward Member – Cllr J Yelland

RECOMMENDATION:            Conditional Approval

Members discussed this application in detail and referred to the site inspection, held previously, following which further information had been sought in relation to the Public Footpath.  Members still had concerns about the impact of the development on the footpath and accepted that a temporary diversion had been offered but this would necessitate the need to use steps.  Further concerns related to the need for an archaeological assessment of the site during construction and highway safety, particularly with vehicles reversing out of the site.  The Highways Officer responded to highways safety concerns by advising that the arrangements were commensurate with other properties along Castle Road and added that an additional clearance had been built in to the proposed parking bays to give space for additional parallel parking for visitors to the site and to aid visibility. The Town Council representative added concerns regarding ecology.  Members also had concerns regarding management of the site during construction, and again it was agreed that an additional condition should be included.  The proposal to approve the application was PROPOSED, SECONDED and on being put to the vote declared LOST. 

It was then PROPOSED, SECONDED and on being put to the vote declared CARRIED, that the application be refused for the following reasons:

The scale, massing and design of the proposed dwellings results in a cramped form of development with substantial retaining features required to facilitate the development on this sloping site in a historic area adjacent to the Okehampton Conservation Area.  As such the proposal would have a detrimental visual impact to the character and appearance of the area and the harm caused is not outweighed by the public benefit resulting from the development.  The proposal would therefore be contrary to policy SP18 of the West Devon Core Strategy, policy H28 of the West Devon Local Plan Review, and the advice contained within the NPPF.

COMMITTEE DECISION:  Refusal