Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

It was noted from the Members’ Update that Officers had sought to clarify paragraph 3.2.1 and update paragraph 5.3.8 of the report.  An amendment to reason for refusal 1 was also suggested.

When presenting the application, the Development Control Team Leader referred to an email sent to all Members by the applicant the previous day requesting deferral of this application.  The Officer advised that this was a matter for Members to consider.  Members were advised that the applicant had provided further information regarding parking and access but having considered these Officers reported their recommendation as set out in the report remained unchanged.

At this point the Chairman questioned whether Members wished to defer the application and it was agreed that they did not and wished to determine it.

An objector, Ms Judy Lea (speaking on behalf of the Maldon Society and local residents) and the Mr Butler, the Agent then addressed the Committee.

Councillor M R Pearlman, a Ward Member, proposed that the application be refused as per the Officers recommendation.  This proposal was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken was agreed. 

FUL/MAL/17/00764:

RESOLVED that this application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1          The proposed development, as a result of its layout, scale, mass, height and bulk, unsympathetic design, loss of important landscaping, and excessive site coverage would have an unacceptable visual impact upon the character and appearance of the site, the setting of the listed building at the site and the Conservation Area.  The proposal would be contrived, out of keeping with the prevailing pattern of development and fail to integrate into the surrounding area both physically and visually or achieve a high quality design. Furthermore, the high density of the proposed development does not allow for sufficient amenity space for the two proposed dwellings. The proposal would therefore be contrary to Policies S1, S5, D1, D3 and H4 of the MDLDP and Government advice contained within the NPPF.

2          The proposed development would not be served by sufficient car parking of adequate size to comply with the Maldon District Vehicle Parking Standards 2018.  Furthermore, the access within the site is considered to be of inadequate width and is therefore likely to cause conflict between vehicles and pedestrians.  The proposal would therefore be served by inadequate parking and access arrangements which would have the potential to cause unsafe parking and conditions of unsafe vehicle and pedestrian movements.  The proposal is therefore unacceptable and contrary to Policies D1 and T2 of the MDLDP.

3          Inadequate provision to secure the delivery of affordable housing to meet the identified need in the locality and address the Council's strategic objectives on affordable housing has been made, contrary to Policies H1 and I1 of the MDLDP and Government advice contained within the NPPF.

LBC/MAL/18/00763:

RESOLVED that Listed Building Consent be REFUSED for the following reason:

1          The proposed development would involve works to the listed building including demolition of part of the building, which is not considered to be of significant heritage value alone.  In the absence of an acceptable scheme for the replacement or mitigation of the demolition works it is considered that the proposed demolition would leave a void area to the side of the listed building that would not enhance or maintain the setting of the listed building.  Such an unresolved situation is not outweighed by any wider public benefits derived from the works and it is therefore considered that the proposal is contrary to the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and policies D1 and D3 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (MDLDP).