Erection of three self build dwellings.

The Committee was informed that this application sought outline planning permission with all matters reserved for the erection of three self-build dwellings. The site lay outside of any settlement development boundary but was considered, by Officers, to be acceptable subject to conditions.

Members were cognisant that, although the site lay outside of the defined settlement development boundary, the Council’s housing policies were now out of date and the ‘tilted balance’ applied. Although the proposal would not meet the self-build criteria under Local Plan Policy LP7 it would be acceptable in terms of the three strands of sustainability given its proximity and accessibility to local services and public transport links, and environmental benefits in terms of energy efficiency and biodiversity enhancements. The proposal was not likely to result in any adverse impacts to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the NPPF taken as a whole. The tilted balance had therefore been engaged and the principle of development was accepted.

It was reported that the proposed development was not considered, by Officers, to likely result in an unacceptable harm to the character of the area, highway safety, residential amenity or ecological interests. Matters relating to biodiversity enhancement, drainage, parking and detailed design could be appropriately addressed through planning conditions, or at the reserved matters stage.

Overall, the development was considered by Officers to comply with the relevant provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Tendring District Local Plan 2013–2033 and beyond, subject to conditions which included securing the necessary Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) contribution. Accordingly, the application was recommended by Officers for approval.

The Committee had before it the published Officer report containing the key planning issues, relevant planning policies, planning history, any response from consultees, written representations received and a recommendation of approval.

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Senior Planning Officer (MP) in respect of the application.

No updates had been circulated to Members in relation to this application.

Peter Le Grys, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64