Agenda item

The application was for the retention of front boundary fence with a reduction in height. (Amended plan rec'd 10/03/16), (Additional plans rec'd 14/04/16).

This application would normally be determined under the Council's Scheme of Delegation, however, at the request of Cllr Pat Tedder it had been called in for determination by the Planning Applications Committee.

Members were advised of the following updates:

‘One further letter of representation was received on 26^th April from an objector who had already responded to the application.  The issues raised are as follows:

·        New proposal will hardly make any difference and will only be approximately 9cms lower than present fence [Officer comment: This is incorrect, the fence is currently 2.1m in height and will be reduced to a maximum of 1.6m]

·        Laris Farm fence sits at the top of a grassy bank and is an entirely different situation [Officer comment: The fence is proposed to be the same height from the ground as Laris Farm’s fence, see paragraph 7.4.3 of the Officer’s Report for further information]

·        The Historic Buildings Officer suggests the fence should be between 1m and 1.2m high which would have general support  [Officer comment: This is incorrect, The Historic Buildings Officer agreed that a fence the same height of the old fence would be acceptable upon visiting the site.  In his response he said I think that is 1m-1.2m from memory.  He did not say that it should be this height and has seen the old fence still in place]

·        Lower fence would have the result that this important listed building would no longer be obscured from the road [Officer comment: It is not considered that the reduction in height of the fence would obscure the building from the road, as the building can clearly be seen with the old fence in place, and in any case if this application is refused the old fence could be retained]’

Resolved that application 16/0133 be approved subject to the conditions as set out in the report of the Executive Head – Regulatory.

Note 1

As this application triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Mr E Bain spoke in objection and Mrs Woods, the applicant, spoke in support.

Note 2

The recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Councillor David Allen and seconded by Councillor Richard Brooks.

Note 3

In accordance with Part 4 Section D paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting in relation to this application was as follows:

Voting in favour of the recommendation to approve the application:

Councillors David Allen, Richard Brooks, Nick Chambers, Mrs Vivienne Chapman, Colin Dougan, Surinder Gandhum, Edward Hawkins, Rebecca Jennings-Evans, Max Nelson, David Mansfield, Robin Perry, Ian Sams, Conrad Sturt, and Valerie White.

Voting in against the recommendation to approve the application:

Councillors Pat Tedder and Victoria Wheeler