Agenda item

Erection of 56 dwellings with associated infrastructure works and access (resubmission)

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding an application for the erection of 56 dwellings with associated infrastructure works and access (resubmission) at Dovecot Hill, South Church, Bishop Auckland (for copy see file of Minutes).

S Pilkington, Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included a site location plan, aerial photograph, photographic views across the site, proposed site layout and proposed house-type elevations.

Mr J Lavender addressed the Committee to object to the application.  He informed the Committee that the proposed development was too near to the well-established South Church Enterprise Park and agreed with the officer’s view in the report that the future of the Enterprise Park could be prejudiced by this development.  The nearest dwelling on the proposed development would be only 15 metres from industrial premises and the potential impact of the development on businesses could not be minimalised.  South Church Enterprise Park businesses had already been prejudiced because of new houses and although there was a demand for new housing, job retention and expansion should be a priority.

Mr C Dodds of Gleeson Homes addressed the Committee in support of the application.  Since an application for development on this site was dismissed on appeal in 2016 the applicant had worked hard on mitigation issues to address noise from the Enterprise Park.  Noise assessment and noise monitoring had been carried out.  Environmental Health had raised no objection to the proposed development and considered that the proposed mitigation works would address the issue of industrial noise.  The applicant had proven through the work carried out that this was an appropriate location for residential development.

Councillor Wilson informed the Committee that she had attended a site visit to the site when the application for development was first submitted in 2015.  Noise from the Enterprise Park was horrendous and traffic problems at the location meant that this was not a good site for residential development.  Additionally, some premises on the Enterprise Park worked night shifts and it would be unfair to potentially prevent this because of noise caused to this development.  Councillor Wilson moved refusal of the application.

Councillor Dixon informed the Committee that he too had attended the previous site visit.  The previous application was refused on appeal because the Inspector considered that existing businesses would be likely to be hampered in their ability to carry out their day to day activities and unable to expand without additional burdens in the form of noise controls being placed on them.  Additionally, development of this site could reduce or prevent the potential for businesses to move on to the Enterprise Park.  Councillor Dixon seconded refusal of the application.

Councillor Clare informed the Committee that he considered there was little difference between this application and the one which was refused on appeal in 2016 because there would still be housing next to factories.  There was therefore still the potential for future noise complaints should dwellings be built.

Councillor Kay informed the Committee that if an application for an industrial development was made near to a housing development there would be string objection from the housing development.  This was economic industrial land and the site was unsuitable for residential development.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

That the application be refused for the reason contained in the report.