Agenda item

Vehicular access and entrance gates (part retrospective)

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer with regards to the vehicular access and entrance gates (part retrospective) with regards to Oakwell Lodge, Hamsterley (for copy see file of minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, aerial photograph, elevations, site layout and photographs of the site.

The Solicitor – Planning and Development, confirmed that there was a separate statutory regime which dealt with Village Greens, however she added that it was not uncommon for Village Greens to include access routes and driveways.

In response to a query from Councillor Brown, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the applicant intended to reinstate the dry stone wall, with the addition of pillars and an oak entrance gate.

Councillor Clare confirmed that the issue with the Village Green was out of the Committee’s remit and move the recommendation to approve for the reasons outlined in the report.

Councillor Richardson confirmed that this was an area in which the Parish Council were fiercely protective of the Village Green.  He referred to the modern day reliance on motor vehicles and allowing people to access their own driveways via Village Green would prevent a build up of vehicles parked on the side of the road and he therefore supported the application.

In response to a question from Councillor Tinsley the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that there had been a dispute over land ownership, but there was no issue regarding the validity of certificates as all relevant parties who needed to be made aware of the application had been made aware.

Councillor Atkinson seconded the recommendation to approve.

Resolved:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the condition outlined in the report.