Agenda item

Land Adjacent To 29 Main Street Osgathorpe Loughborough

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

Mr M Fairlamb, representing Osgathorpe Parish Council addressed the Committee. He advised Members that the Parish Council objected to the development as it felt that the village was already increasing by 25% following applications that had already been approved and that the site was on a road that was already restricted and emergency services struggled to get passed parked vehicles. He highlighted to Members that the village had been identified as a flood risk and that earlier in the year water was near to entering properties in the area of the site. He added that there would be a higher risk of flooding to neighbours if the development was permitted and the Environment Agency had underestimated the flood risk. He urged Members to refuse the application.

Mr R Whyard, objector, addressed the Committee. He advised Members that the proposal would in flooding of properties downstream that the site was on a narrow road which already had an issue with on-street parking and the piece of land had become a haven for wildlife. He asked Members that, should they be minded to approve the application, could the applicant retain the verge and hedgerow, look at the gable ends, orientation and ensure the rendering was in keeping with the rest of the village. 

Mr S Tivey, supporter, addressed the Committee. He informed the Members that he had known the site for 15 years and owning the brook further up stream was able to advise that the water levels receded just as quickly as they rose. He stated that issues had arisen due to poor maintenance of the brook and cattle pushing down the banks when drinking from it however this would be solved once the development had taken place and that the cows now had water troughs to drink from. He added that the house would add to a sustainable village. 

Mr A Large, agent, addressed the Committee. He advised Members that he owned a beef and sheep farm on the other side of the brook and that due to poor management of the brook the land had been prone to flooding. He advised Members that the property would sit higher than the water levels, include a water harvester and was to be a modest development. He urged the Committee to support the development.

The officer’s recommendation was moved by Councillor J G Coxon and seconded by Councillor G Jones.

Councillor J G Coxon stated that it was a nice development and all villages needed such applications to survive, adding that is the brook was maintained correctly there would be no flooding.

Councillor D Everitt stated that he felt that the village had taken its share of development which could increase the risk of flooding as now places that had not been classed as a flood risk ten years ago where now experiencing issues.

Councillor G Jones stated that he was happy to support the application as it was in a nice location and would enhance the village and he liked the plan to harvest the water.

In response to a comment from Councillor N Smith, the Head of Planning and Regeneration stated that there would be a condition included in the permission in relation to maintenance of the brook.

Councillor D J Stevenson stated that having listened to Mr R Whyard, it would be prudent for the applicant, should the application be granted, to consider some of the requests that were put forward.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendations of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.