Agenda and minutes

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Please note that the order in which applications are heard may be changed at the meeting.  If Members have queries about any of the applications, they are requested to raise them with the relevant Planning Officer prior to the Committee meeting.

Members had received a schedule of planning applications to be determined by the Committee and fully considered each report.

This was an application for the erection of 1 no. dwelling and shed following the demolition of the existing summerhouse and shed with associated landscaping and tree works on land opposite 15-22 Woodside, Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire.

This application was before Committee due to the number and nature of representations from the public against the officer recommendation and in the opinion of the Development Management Service Delivery Manager that this was sufficient to require that the application should be determined by the Planning Committee.

A site visit had taken place on the afternoon prior to the meeting.

The Planning Officer informed Members that this application was located within the Severn Gorge conservation area and within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site and that listed buildings were in close proximity.  The site have been previously subject to an application for a more traditional style of building on a higher point of the site.  The previous application was withdrawn.  The current application had been refined and nestled into the site which reduced the impact and, with reference to paragraph 196 of National Planning Policy Framework, Officers considered that the proposal would result in a less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.  The benefits were its sustainable location, the contribution to the local economy during and after the construction phase and the contribution to the housing land requirement.  It will also have environmental benefits through its construction methods including the collection of grey and rain water, sedum and moss roof, air pumps and solar gain – the rain water would be collected in tanks and recycled and there would be electric car charging points on site.  It was considered that after undertaking the necessary planning balance, with due weight given to the statutory presumption in favour of preservation that the benefits outweighed the harm.   It was requested that additional conditions be added to the recommendation being that the permitted development rights be removed;  the submission and approval of samples of mortar and brick bond and that the development be undertaken in accordance with the recommendation of the Stability Report.

Mr Proudfoot spoke against the application on behalf of the local residents who felt that the garden land at the centre of the community was unsuitable for development, it was steep sloping and there would be loss of flora, fauna and wildlife.  This was a green space and the development could result in land slippage, increased traffic, drainage issues and it was against policy.  Applications for a hardstanding at a nearby properties had been refused as it was believed it would cause significant harm and detract from the conservation area.  This proposal would cause more harm and it was necessary to control infill development.  It would affect the universal value, topographical and long range views which was legally deemed a material consideration.  The benefits did not outweigh the harm as there were not benefits to  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC168