Agenda item

Report by the Head of Place (attached).

Also present:

Mr J. Smith, Applicant

Mrs J. Smith, Applicant

Mr J. Woodward, Agent

Councillor D. Barron, Chair of Mortehoe Parish Council

Mrs S. Hocking, Mortehoe Parish Council Clerk

The Committee received the following statement from the Corporate and Community Admin Assistant:

“Any observations which are made during the course of this site visit by Members of the Planning Committee are limited to those issues identified by the Head of Place in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Committee and the Ward Member of Members of the area where the application site is located, as set out in Part 3, Annexe 2 of the North Devon District constitution.

Such observations are made after viewing the site and on the basis of the limited information available on site.

Any such observations are not, nor should they be taken as an indication that the application is acceptable or unacceptable. A full presentation and consideration of all the planning issues will be made when the matter was determined by the Planning Committee.”

The Members of the Committee convened at the Car Park at the back of the Site.

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the application (circulated previously) and location plan.

The Committee:

·         Walked onto the site via the main access, stopping halfway down to note the adjoining properties, particularly that of Sunnyside House and the adjoining decking.

·         Noted the section of the garden that was owned by the Applicants.

·         Noted the boundaries of the property.

·         Noted Plan 2 of the application which referred to the location/size of the proposed dwelling.

·         Observed ownership of the land around the site.

·         Noted Plans 4 and 5 which referred to the elevation and the floor plans of the proposed application.

·         Observed the area on the higher level on the property.

·         Noted that the maximum height of the property was 6.2m, and would have a primarily green roof on the main building with a glazed roof on the extension. The committee also noted that it would have timber cladding and stonework and render finish.

·         Noted that the fence line of the property was within ownership of the applicants.

·         Noted the main access would provide access for 2 vehicles.

·         Noted the distance between the proposed corner of the property and the corner of the nearest property, which was Oceanpoint, was 9.3m, and 10.4m between the proposed property and Sandy Lane Apartments.

·         Noted that the Conservation Area was east of the Property Boundaries and raised the concerns given by the North Devon Council Conservation Officer.

·         Viewed the site from the decking of Sunnyside House.

·         Noted the section of the decking that would be removed and what would remain.

·         Noted as a point of reference from the Agent that the roof of Oceanpoint was level with the decking of Sunnyside House, and that the maximum height of the property would be approximately a foot lower than the decking.

·         Viewed the rear access to the property from Oceanpoint View and Sandy Lane.

·         Noted that in a response to concerns raised as to the stability of Quarryside, that no objections had been raised by North Devon Council Building Control.

·         At the discretion of the Chair, viewed the proposed site from Flat 12 Oceanpoint, and observed the relationship with the vertical sky element. The committee also noted the proposed view of the building from Flat 12, reference Cross Section C of the plans.

·         Convened at the entrance to Woolacombe Bay Hotel and observed the site from a distance and its relationship to the conservation area.

·         Convened at Marine Drive, observed the site and noted the impact upon the conservation area by the property of Tartooga. The committee also noted the roof of Oceanpoint, and the conservation area boundary in the plan.