Decision details

The report before Members detailed an application for the demolition of fifteen commercial storage units and the change of use of the land to enable erection of five detached dwellings.

Members noted that the application had been called-in by Councillor John Crowder on the grounds of Green Belt and the fact that the site backed on to a nature reserve and would have a detrimental effect to the area.

Councillor Crowder had been unable to attend the meeting but a verbal update was given to the Committee.

Councillor Crowder had stated that the planning proposal would have an adverse visual impact on the surrounding established properties, due to the overbearing out of scale, design and bulk. The proposal would be an over development within the Green Belt and one that backed on to a nature reserve. The road was of an unmade nature which local residents were happy to have in its natural state which stopped speeding cars and other vehicles.

Councillor Crowder had also commented that:

·         The development would have an adverse effect on the residential amenity of neighbours. Amongst other factors noise, disturbance of overlooking, loss of privacy and over shadowing.

·         Unacceptable high density/over development of the site

·         Effect of the development on the character of the neighbourhood

·         The over development would cause drainage problems for the lower lying residential properties.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant.

The objector commented that the site lay within the Green Belt and the Havering Ridge area of special character which was not brownfield land and that the proposal would have a detrimental effect on both. The objector also commented that there would an increased noise nuisance and that the proposal was in breach of the Council’s planning policies.

The applicant responded by commenting that the land was designated as a brownfield site and that the plans had been altered to minimise overlooking. The applicant concluded by commenting that the proposed dwellings would be screened from the road and that the proposal was a good development.

During the debate Members sought and received clarification of the site boundaries and further details of the certificate of lawfulness that had been applied for last year.

Members also discussed the possible harm that the proposal would bring to the Green Belt.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted however following a motion to refuse the granting of planning permission it was RESOLVED that the granting of planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

·         Harm to the openness and character of the Green Belt, resulting from residential nature of the scheme, including the presence of fencing and domestic paraphernalia.

·         Lack of a legal agreement to secure financial contribution towards education provision.