Decisions made by South planning committee on 6 October 2015

The following decisions were made by Shropshire Council’s South planning committee at its meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Tuesday 6 October 2015.

• Land at Heath Farm, Hoptonheath (14/03290/EIA) Construction of four poultry sheds and feed bins, ancillary works, formation of new vehicular access, erection of biomass building and associated landscaping.  Decision: 

  That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

• The proposal fails to comply with Core Strategy Policy CS5 as it relates to large scale development in the open countryside and which fails to maintain and enhance countryside vitality and character improve the sustainability of rural communities or bring benefits to the local community. Whilst the economic benefits of the scheme are acknowledged it is considered that these are limited to the developer and would be outweighed by the potential damage to local tourism interests. As such, the scheme promotes one form of economic development at the expense of another in conflict with Core Strategy Policies CS13 and CS16.
• The proposals are located in the catchment of the River Clun which is associated with an internationally designated Special Area of Conservation which is unique in Shropshire and is afforded the highest level of protection under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. 　The Special Area of Conservation requires the highest level of protection in order to conserve the habitat of the freshwater pearl mussel which is dependent on maintaining high water quality. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of objection by Natural England, it is considered that the proposals have the potential to add to pollution within the Clun Catchment and would require a very high level of control in order to ensure continued compliance in this location next to a watercourse. It is considered that the potential risk of a breakdown in control measures and an associated pollution incident represents an unacceptable risk which fails to comply with the above regulations and with Core Strategy Policies CS6 and CS17.
• Proposed development land to the east of Avenue Road, Broseley (14/04019/OUT) Outline planning application for mixed residential and employment development (all matters reserved).  Decision: 

  That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

  The Committee acknowledge that the housing proposed would be in a sustainable location, contributing economically and socially by boosting the housing supply, and would also provide limited support for the existing services in the town. However these factors are outweighed by the following harm: The proposed housing development would fall outside of the development boundary for Broseley shown in the adopted and emerging Development Plan where Core Strategy policy CS5 restricts new housing development to dwellings to house essential countryside workers and to meet identified local affordable housing need. No such need has been demonstrated in this case. In addition, the proposed development would result in the loss of part of the Broseley employment land allocation in the emerging Development Plan, which is close to adoption and to which significant weight can be given. 　The serviced access to the smaller area of employment land that the proposed development would provide is not considered to be a material consideration of sufficient weight to justify a departure from present and emerging Development Plan housing policy or a reduction in the size of the employment land allocation in the emerging Development Plan. Furthermore, weight was given to the fact that the proposed development is not plan led in accordance with paragraph 17 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The proposal is therefore contrary to Core Strategy policies CS5, saved Bridgnorth District Local Plan policies S1 and H3, policy S4 of the emerging Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan and aspirations of the Broseley Town Plan 2013 to 2026.

• Land off Tanyard Place, Shifnal (14/04245/FUL) Erection of 5 no. dwellings; formation of new access and associated drainage works following demolition of derelict outbuilding (amended description).  Decision: 

  That planning permission be granted as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to:

  • A Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the requisite affordable housing contribution; and

  The Conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

• Rushbury CE Primary School, Rushbury, Church Stretton, SY6 7EB (15/02416/FUL) Change of use of former PE store to commercial kitchen (Amended Description).  Decision:  That, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the report, planning permission be granted as per the officer’s recommendation.
• Proposed dwelling on south side of Benthall Lane, Benthall, Broseley (13/03406/FUL) Erection of a detached dwelling following demolition of existing commercial greenhouse.  Decision: 

  That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation to refuse, planning permission be granted.

• Proposed development land south of 14 Legges Hill, off Speed’s Lane, Broseley (14/02683/FUL) Erection of 2 detached dwellings including creation of new vehicular access.  Decision: 

  That planning permission be granted as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to:

  • A Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the requisite affordable housing contribution; and

  The Conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

For further information relating to the decisions go to our online planning register and search for the application by using the reference number or keyword.

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