Agenda item

Regularise fencing and access changes adjacent to the north-west public open space, and convert the enclosed green space in north-west corner to private garden space for use by residents of plot one (as amended by plans received 24 July 2020) and change the shared bin store to a timber bin shelter (as amended by plans received 17 September 2020).

The committee considered application P20/V1422/FUL to regularise fencing and access changes adjacent to the north-west public open space, and convert the enclosed green space in north-west corner to private garden space for use by residents of plot one (as amended by plans received 24 July 2020) and change the shared bin store to a timber bin shelter (as amended by plans received 17 September 2020) on at Land at Penstones Farm, Horsecroft, Stanford in the Vale, Farringdon.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting.

The planning officer reported that the applicant sought retrospective permission to change an area of Public Open Space (POS) in the north-west corner of the site to private garden, to become part of Plot 1. The applicant also sought to regularise hard and soft landscape work that had been carried out without complying with approved plans, and to change the proposed enclosed bin store to a shelter.  The percentage of POS on the site would alter from 1,574 sqm (16.7%) to 1,390sqm (14.75%). A plan of the proposed POS was attached at Appendix 3 to the report. The area was not considered to be of high the highest quality POS.

The planning officer reported that officers considered that the proposal was acceptable in respect of open space provision. The loss of the land to plot 1 would not have a noticeable impact on outdoor amenity space for new residents, as each property had private amenity space in addition to the onsite open space in the public realm. The transfer of the land to private ownership would also bring with it some benefits for its management, such as the prevention of vandalism and fly tipping.

Mr. Paul Combellack, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Nathan Boyd, the local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

In response to a question from the committee for further information in respect of the bin store, the planning officer reported that amended plans had been submitted to the council after the despatch of the agenda; the bin store had been re-designated a bin collection point and that it would be constructed of timber, and not the originally proposed brick. This alteration had received the approval of the waste management officer.

Also in response to a question from the committee regarding the new fencing and its the potential effect upon light levels to adjacent properties, the planning officer reported that the fencing had been previously approved and was not considered to have an adverse effect upon the light levels experienced by those dwellings.

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P20/V1422/FUL subject to the following:

1.         A deed of variation to the S106 legal agreement.

Conditions

1.         In accordance with approved plans (as per varied plans).

2.         Details of bin storage structure to be submitted before work begins on base for structure.

3.         Landscaping scheme in accordance with plans (as per varied plans)

4.         Tree protection.

5.         Permitted development restriction – Plot 1 only: No outbuildings, structures, sheds, fences or pools on the area changing from POS to private garden.