Agenda item

Erection of 5no. detached two storey dwellings with associated garages, access and landscaping. [Haxby and Wigginton] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full application by Mr Daniel Gath for the erection of 5no. detached two storey dwellings with associated garages, access and landscaping.

In their update to Members, Officers reported that further discussions had taken place with the Flood Risk Management Team. It was reported that although the team still objected to the application they were satisfied that a solution could be found to ensure the proper drainage of the site.

Officers suggested that if Members were minded to approve the application that delegated powers be given to Officers to agree drainage details before a decision is issued. They also reported that an additional letter in objection had been received.

Representations were received from the applicant’s agent, John Howlett. He commented that the site was a sustainable area for development and created its own identity.

Questions from Members to the applicant’s agent related to the filling in of the pond on the site. He stated that he was not aware of any wildlife around the pond as it had already been filled in when he became involved with the application. Officers added that they did not have any information about how the pond was filled in, but that investigations showed that the development itself would not adversely affect any protected wildlife in the vicinity.

Members felt that development on the site constituted overdevelopment and that the location of the houses at the end of the plot would have a detrimental impact on the character of the area.

RESOLVED:       That the application be refused.

REASON:           The application site is currently green, undeveloped and open and plays an important part in defining the attractive frontage development which characterises this part of York Road whilst providing an important space visually between developments to the south and west. Views are afforded across the site from numerous public vantage points in the surrounding area. The proposed development is considered to be of high density within this backland garden setting resulting in a cramped and overdeveloped appearance which does not respect the character and appearance of the area. The level of hardstanding combined with amount of built development is at odds with the existing character and form of the application site and surrounding area. In the long term it is considered that the proposed development would result in the loss of existing green landscaping, which contributes to the character and appearance of the area, given the density of development and the lack of space around the proposed dwellings. The proposed development fails to take the opportunities available for successfully integrating a new development into the site which takes account of the character and form of the area. The development imposes itself on the area and does not successfully integrate with the existing natural and built environment. The application therefore is considered to be contrary to the 2005 Development Control Local Plan Policies GP1 ‘Design’ parts a), b) and c), GP10 ‘Subdivision of Gardens and Infill Development’ and H4a ‘Housing Windfalls’ parts c) and d) as well as advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework particularly paragraphs 53, 61 and 64.