Erection of a replacement dwelling.  Demolition of existing dwelling

Erection of a replacement dwelling.  Demolition of existing dwelling

Principal Planning Officer, Emma Norgate, referred members to the late material that had been circulated before the meeting and drew their attention to the revised plans that had been received, reducing the footprint of the garage building to 8.5 metres x 6.3 metres. 

Please refer to the late material circulated before the start of the meeting

Public speaking

The following is a summary of the applicant’s statement: -

Park Farm has been in the ownership of the family since 1919 and was previously rented by the applicant’s grandfather. We hope to pass it on to future generations. However, the existing farmhouse is very depressing and sad. Because of the thick stonewalls, the rooms are very small and not suitable for the family’s needs. My husband moved out of the house in 1995. We feel that the house is at a stage where it would be difficult and uneconomic to try to bring it up to modern standards. For several years, my husband has wanted to move back to the farm. He realises the critical need to live nearer the farm buildings for security and contact reasons. He wants to incorporate a modern farm and home security system due to concerns about farm thefts in the area.

I have an elderly disabled mum who has osteoporosis and Parkinson’s Disease. She needs space to manoeurve her walker with another person next to her. She also needs a wheelchair. A downstairs bedroom with ensuite and living area, (possibly used by a carer) is crucial, with level floors everywhere. I also have osteoporosis and have my hips replaced therefore safety design is important. I also have a large family and I would like them to be able to stay together with us. Therefore the number of bedrooms is very important. The farmhouse and outbuildings are situated in the middle of the farm and are not overlooked by anybody. We would like to have our new home moved away from the farm buildings and built within the curtilage of the original walled garden. The plan for our new home has been well designed to suit our needs, and is in keeping with the other farm buildings. It is a traditional looking farmhouse. The plan is only modestly bigger than the existing house but with spaces which are far more sensibly organised. This home will be extremely well insulated, energy saving and complying with the Governments initiatives to build semi passive green homes. We hope to reuse many of the existing stones and use solar panels, a ground source pump and other forms of modern technology. We would be grateful if you would support out application.

The Chairman invited non-committee member, Councillor Marion Winship, to speak as a local member for the application. Councillor Winship informed members that the parish council had no concerns about the replacement dwelling and that the building was in a poor state of repair. She said that the building was unsuitable for modern day living, especially when the occupants had mobility issues.

Committee consideration

Chairman of the Committee, and a local member for the application, Councillor Terry Glastonbury, agreed with Councillor Winship’s comments and said that the replacement dwelling would be an improvement.

Vote

Councillor Glastonbury moved the recommendation and Councillor Brian Jones seconded the motion. A recorded vote was taken and members,

RESOLVED to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions included in the schedule of applications and to the details included in the late material

For (15)

Councillors James Bevan, Gethyn Davies, Frankie Evans, Jackie Fraser, Terry Glastonbury, Julia Gooch, Val Hobman, Brian Jones, Gabriella Kirkpatrick, Graham Morgan, Norman Stephens, Lynn Sterry, Arthur Thomas, David Thompson and Roger Yeates.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)