Agenda item

Strood North

Construction of 1 no. 4 bedroomed and 1 no. 3 bedroomed detached dwellings constructed within the existing underground reservoir with associated parking and external works.

Discussion:

The Head of Planning reminded the Committee that this planning application had been the subject of a site visit on 21 February 2015 at which the Senior Planner had set out the details of the planning application, a summary of the representations received and the planning issues as they related to matters of principle, planning policy, design, amenity, ecology and highways.

A summary of the points raised by local residents at the site visit both in support of and objecting to the planning application was summarised on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

Councillors Chitty and Etheridge as Ward Councillors were in attendance at the site visit and had expressed concern as to the planning application but had stated that they would express their views when the application was resubmitted to the Planning Committee for determination.

Councillor Hubbard had advised that as a member of the Planning Committee he could not express a view at the site visit but would speak on the application when resubmitted to the Planning Committee.

Mark Reckless MP had outlined his concerns at the site visit and supported the views put forward by the objectors.

The Head of Planning advised the Committee that since the site visit, eight further letters of objection had been received reiterating many of the objections already received and setting out additional concerns, details of which were summarised on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Head of Planning then outlined the planning application in detail.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillors Etheridge and Chitty spoke on the application as Ward Councillors and outlined their objections to the planning application.

The Committee then discussed the application having regard to the concerns expressed by local residents and the Ward Councillors.

Members expressed the view that whilst there was a desire for an increased provision of high energy efficient homes in Medway, the location of the proposed dwellings would result in a lack of amenity for the prospective occupiers of the dwellings on the basis that the outlook comprised a telecommunications mast and its compound.

Members referred to Policy L3 (Protected Open Space) of the Medway Local Plan which sought to protect the loss of existing formal open space, informal open space, allotments or amenity land unless certain criteria were met and expressed the view that the proposed development by virtue of its appearance and design failed to demonstrate that it met the ‘exception’ criteria of Policy L3.

Furthermore, Members considered that the proposed development would have a detrimental impact on the character, appearance and functioning of the protected open space.at Broomhill Park.

Decision:

Refused on the following ground:

The application is by virtue of its location and design contrary to the provisions set out within the Medway Local Plan (2003) Policies BNE1 and L3 and the National Planning Policy Framework (2012), having a detrimental impact on the character, appearance and functioning of the Protected Open Space of Broomhill Park. The appearance and design of the scheme does not represent ‘exceptional design’ enough to warrant a departure to the Development Plan Policies in this instance.