Agenda item

Outline application with all matters reserved (access, appearance, landscaping,

layout and scale) for up to 9 residential dwellings

Land at Puttock Gate, Fosdyke, Boston

Mr A Mowton

Outline application with all matters reserved (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for up to 9 residential dwellings     

Land at Puttock Gate, Fosdyke, Boston

Mr A Mowton

The Growth Manager presented the report confirming there were no updates to the report tabled.

Representation was received from the applicant’s agent Mr Finch which included:

Fosdyke had been considered in the emerging local plan as unsuitable for allocation of development, despite its proximity to the A17.  Yet in the previous 12 months approvals had been granted for schemes on the perifarary of the village and the application under consideration was adjacent to, and opposite to, the settlement boundary as proposed in the emerging plan.  The character of Fosdyke was ribbon development with only one housing estate in the village on Snaith Road.  The roads radiating from the old main road into open countryside to the north and east were rural and narrow in character and acted as a natural constraint to the development.  The application site was located along the north side of Puttock Gate close to the junction with the old main road and had established housing along the southern side.  There was a satisfactory width to permit passing of vehicles and a footpath and street lighting.  Puttock Gate did narrow as it left the built up area beyond the application site leading to the nearby sports field and social club.  The application was a logical opportunity to enhance and maintain the vitality of the village with the indicative layout demonstrated that the site could be satisfactorily developed to present a quality scheme with a variety of housing and good separation:  it would not cause substantial harm to residential amenity of neighbouring properties.  The single objection lodged could be dealt with at reserved matters stage.  The Parish Council had no objection subject to one concern in respect of the open drain to the site frontage.  Pairing of driveways allowed a pull-in area for delivery vehicles and retention of the verge and drain would avoid an urban engineered frontage.  It further set the development back into the site with the front boundaries being defined with native hedgerows and tree planting reflecting a rural character.  Each plot had ample parking and turning areas.   Members were referred to paragraph 7.18 of the report which stated that the application was considered not be contrary to policies G1 and H3 but under paragraph 10.1 it stated the application did not satisfy G1 which was carried over into the signal for refusal. 

It was moved by Councillor Yvonne Stevens that the application be granted contrary to officer recommendation but the motion was not seconded.

It was moved by Councillor Jonathan Noble and seconded by Councillor Brian Rush that the committee refuse the application in line with officer recommendation for the reasons therein and to also include the reason for refusal to include policy H3.

Vote:    In Favour:  11.    Against:  1.      Abstention:  0

RESOLVED:    That the application be refused in line with officer recommendation for the following reason:

       1     The application site is located outside of the settlement boundary of Fosdyke as defined in the Boston Borough Local Plan 1999 and within an area defined as ‘countryside’. This development will extend the built up area of the village creating an awkward and alien encroachment within this flat, rural landscape. The development would also consolidate the surrounding urban environment with the existing residential development to the south and the resultant effect would substantially erode the character and appearance of the countryside and open rural landscape. This scheme will therefore promote an unsustainable pattern of development in this area and any benefits the development may provide relating to the supply of housing in the area and local economic benefits would be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by its adverse effects. The application is therefore contrary to the objectives of Local Plan Policies C01, H3 and G2, Policy 1 of the emerging South East Lincolnshire Local Plan and the environmental dimension of sustainable development as contained within  the National Planning Policy Framework (2018).

       Refused drawing numbers Location plan ref PUT01/pl 001

In determining this application the authroity has taken account of the guidance in paragraph 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2018) I order to seekto secure sustainable development that improves the eonomic, social and environmental conditions of the Borough.

It is recorded that Councillors Peter Bedford and Stephen Woodliffe absented from the meeting at this point in the proceedings.