West Sub-Area Planning Committee - 18 August 2025

The meeting opened with the Democratic Officer’s report on the emergency evacuation and domestic procedures. No declarations of interest were recorded. The Committee then moved, and by seconded, to adopt the minutes of the West Sub‑Area Planning Committee meeting held on 21 July 2025; the resolution was passed and the minutes were to be signed by the Chairman.

The first planning matter considered was Application PA24/09801. The Senior Development Officer presented the proposal, including plans and photographs, and recommended refusal. Supporters of the application, including Dan Mitchell and Councillor J Thomas, highlighted the historic character of the site, the use of slate and stone with solar panels, the retention of existing walls, and the need for additional small‑family housing. Opponents raised concerns about the scale of the development, the lack of amenity space, and the suitability of the site within a historic setting, suggesting a smaller “Mews‑type” scheme would be more appropriate. After a full debate, the Committee voted 7 to 4 in favour of refusing the application, with no abstentions.

The second planning item was Application PA25/02448. The Senior Development Officer again outlined the proposal and advised refusal, while Dan Rogers and Councillor J Thomas argued that the development would provide an independent dwelling for the applicant, was situated within a built‑up historic hamlet rather than open countryside, and would complement the surrounding cluster of buildings. Officers clarified that the site lay outside the Local Neighbourhood Development Plan’s designated development zones and that personal circumstances are not a decisive material consideration. The debate also addressed the definition of “sustainable location” and the possibility of an annexe as an alternative. The Committee resolved, by a vote of 8 to 0 with three abstentions, to grant delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer to approve the application subject to a series of conditions, including pre‑commencement requirements, an energy report, and amended plans.

Finally, the Chair noted that information relating to any appeals was recorded, and the meeting was concluded. The resolutions adopted were: (1) adoption of the previous meeting’s minutes; (2) refusal of Application PA24/09801; and (3) conditional approval of Application PA25/02448 through delegated authority.