Agenda item

Land To The Rear Of The  George Inn Bakewell Lane Coleorton Coalville Leicestershire LE67 8HF

Having declared an interest in the item Councillor G A Allman left the room for the consideration of the item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The Planning and Development Team Manager presented the report to Members.

Mr A Pearson, in support, addressed the Committee. He stated that there appeared to be confusion over the need for the development. He advised that the applicant was born in Coleorton and that she wished to remain in the village, but the only way, financially to do so, was by building a home on the plot of land that she owned. He highlighted that the site was only slightly outside the limits and that a neighbouring site had recently doubled in size. He informed Members that the applicant could leave the site onto Zion Hill and the development would be sustainable as she would use all the local services and the oldest child would be able to catch a bus to the school that they attended in Ashby.

Councillor J Legrys raised concerns over applications being submitted that were outside the limits to development. He highlighted that other applications on Bakewells Lane had been refused and he therefore found it difficult to agree to permit an application at the other end of the road.

Councillor M Specht stated that he could not agree that the site was unsustainable.  He added that the fact there was no footpath along the route was not a highway matter, and the reduced street lighting in the area was not a reason for refusal as the County Council had rolled out this programme in consultation with Parish Councils.  He expressed concerns regarding the potential highways safety issues associated with the traffic heading towards the A42.  He felt that the local needs had not been established and that he supported the officer recommendation with reluctance.

Councillor J Bridges stated that he supported the officer’s recommendation and that having read the report and listened to the speaker they had not given Members any alternative than to refuse the application.

Councillor D J Stevenson stated that he felt the cars leaving the public house further up the road caused more highways issues than the development would, and that there was a lorry yard next to the site that would give more cause for concern. He added that residents had all the amenities with the village except for a supermarket and that most now delivered anyway and that the vehicular access was already there. He felt he was unable to refuse the application when the next item was similar with a recommendation to permit. 

Councillor T Neilson stated that he would be voting in favour to refuse the recommendation and he felt that the application could not be considered the same as the next one. He added that local need had not been demonstrated and the application was inappropriate.

The officer recommendation was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor R Johnson and

A recorded vote having been requested, the voting was as follows:

For the motion:

Councillors A Bridges, J Bridges, J Cotterill, J G Coxon, J Hoult, R Johnson, J Legrys, T Neilson, S Sheahan, M Specht and R Woodward(11).

Against the motion:

Councillors L Spence, D J Stevenson and M B Wyatt(3).

Abstentions:

None(0).

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be refused in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Councillor G A Allman returned to the meeting.