Agenda item

Demolish former scout hut and replace it with a new four-bedroom house. Replace existing storage building with a detached garage with storage space in the roof. (Additional parking and hardstanding details as shown on ECHL.P01F)

The committee considered application P20/V0225/FUL to demolish the former scout hut and replace it with a new four-bedroom house. Replace existing storage building with a detached garage with storage space in the roof. (Additional parking and hardstanding details as shown on ECHL.P01F) at the former Scout Hut, Main Street, East Challow, Wantage.

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 committee had deferred consideration of this application at their meeting on 11 November 2020, to facilitate a site visit.  The application had been amended to reduce the mass of the building and omit an encroachment into an adjacent field.

The planning officer also advised that East Challow Parish Council and some neighbours had raised concerns regarding the alleged overdevelopment of the site. Planning officers did not consider that the proposal constituted overdevelopment. There would be some impact, but this would be minimal; it would be upon the outlook experienced from the neighbouring properties, which was a material consideration. However, given the size of the proposed dwelling, and the distances involved, planning officers had concluded that the effect on outlook would not be sufficient to justify a refusal of planning permission.

The planning officer also reported that the concern of some neighbours regarding the loss of a community facility had been considered. With the assistance of photographic slides forming part of the presentation, demonstrating the present poor state of repair of the interior of the scout hut, the planning officer reported that the facility had not been used for over 16 years and that no interest had been shown in resuming this use. Additionally, local community facilities had been improved with the refurbishment of the East Challow village hall.

Local objections on the basis of highways safety and the public right of way had also been considered by planning officers. The county highways officer had been consulted and had raised no objection, stating that, given that the previous use would have had some traffic associated with it in this location, there were no objections in principle to the proposed residential development. However, highways and planning officers were of the view that the control of the demolition and construction traffic was considered to be a reasonable requirement. The submission of a demolition/construction traffic management plan (D/CTMP) had been secured and a recommended condition referred to this.

Mr. Duncan Wolage, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Paul Barrow, speaking as the local ward councillor and as an East Challow parish councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

In response to a question from the committee regarding the protection of the public right of way, the planning officer confirmed that the aforementioned D/CTMP would provide an adequate safeguard. The senior planning officer advised members that the committee’s concern in this regard could be highlighted by means of an appropriate Informative, in the event of planning permission being granted. The committee agreed to this proposal.

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/V0225/FUL, subject to the following conditions and with the addition of the Informative in respect of the protection of the public right of way:

1.   TL1 - Time limit - Full Application (Full)

2.   Approved plans

Pre-commencement Conditions:

3.   MC25 - Drainage Details (Surface Water) (Full)

4.   MC26 - Drainage Details (Foul Water) (Full)

5.   Demolition/Construction Traffic Management (details required)

6.   LS1 - Landscaping Scheme (Submission) (Full)

7.   RE18 - Slab Levels (Single Dwellings) (Full)

Pre-occupation condition:

8.   HY6[I] - Access, Park. & Turn. in accord. Plan

Compliance Conditions:

9.   MC3 - Materials in Accordance with App. (Full)

10. RE11 - Garage Accommodation (Full)

Addition of Informative; D/CTMP to safeguard public right of way.