Agenda item

Land At Lower Moor Road Coleorton Coalville Leicestershire LE67 8FN

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to members.

Mr S Haggart, objector, addressed the Committee.  He stated that he represented many residents of Coleorton who were baffled why this application was not recommended to be refused.  He added that the vast majority of supporters did not live in the village.  He made reference to the earlier application which was permitted on the proviso that it would act as a bookend on Lower Moor Road, signifying an end to further development.  He felt that it could not now be argued that this application should be permitted as it was at the other end of the road, as this would make a mockery of the previous decision.  He added that the site was in open countryside in an unspoilt meadow and contrary to Policy E1 of the adopted local plan which sought to prevent sporadic ribbon development.  He stated that the proposals would have a detrimental effect on the unique rural character of the village, destroying its open aspect, and negatively impacting upon the rural amenity enjoyed by its residents.  He felt that the proposals were contrary to Policies E18, PPG15, HS4 and S3 and the site was outside the Limits to Development. He added that it was common knowledge it could now be demonstrated that there was sufficient housing and there was no justification for granting the application and allowing further erosion of the countryside.  He felt that the application must be refused to ensure the protection of small villages from unnecessary development.  He urged members to refuse the application.

Mr A Large, agent, addressed the Committee.  He pointed out that the application had been called in to the Committee due to his relationship with a serving member.  He stated that in his opinion, the proposals would act a continuation of the existing built forms and would be built to a high standard.  The new homes would be individually designed, opposite a new dwelling that was immediately opposite the site. He added that the houses would provide family homes in a desirable location at the sustainable end of Coleorton.  With reference to the comment made by the objector about the previous application acting as a bookend, he felt that this was specific to that site and in conjunction with the adjoining site being a nature reserve, and was therefore out of context in his opinion.  He asked members to follow the officer’s recommendation.

Following a question from the Chairman, the Planning and Development Team Manager offered clarification to members regarding the comments relating to the bookend issue, that the two sites referred to were different, and the proposed nature/ecological area was intended to be a bookend to that particular development to prevent further development on that side of Lower Moor Road, and not in Coleorton altogether.

Councillor R Boam moved that the application be refused as it was located outside the Limits to Development, was in open countryside and was outside the proposed limits to development in the draft local plan.  The motion was seconded by Councillor R Canny.

Councillor R Boam stated that he believed this would open the floodgates for the whole road as it would leave a gap in between.  He added that the site was outside the limits to development and in open countryside.

Councillor R Canny stated that the design of the houses looked really good, and that she would be happy for them to be built.  However she expressed concerns about parcels of land disappearing in Coleorton and the open nature of the village being severely hampered.  She added that this could lead to ribbon development which was not appropriate.

Councillor D Everitt endorsed the comments made, adding that it was a greenfield site.

The Chairman then put the motion to the vote.  The motion was declared LOST.

Councillor J Bridges moved that the application be permitted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.  This was seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

Councillor J Clarke commented that the hedgerow was very attractive and sought assurances that this would be retained. He queried whose responsibility it was for the hedgerow to be maintained.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration advised that the retention of the hedgerow was a recommended condition in the event that planning permission were to be granted, and confirmed that it would be the responsibility of the hedge owners to maintain it.

Councillor M Specht expressed support for the officer’s recommendation.  He added that he was satisfied that the development was socially and economically sustainable and

endorsed the officer’s report.

Councillor D J Stevenson made reference to nearby applications which had already been permitted. 

The Chairman then put the motion to permit the application to the vote and the motion was declared CARRIED.

It was therefore

RESOLVED THAT:

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