Agenda item

Conversion of redundant agricultural buildings into 4 no. dwellings with associated alterations, parking and demolition of agricultural building.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding the conversion of redundant agricultural buildings into 4 no. dwellings with associated alterations and parking and the demolition of an agricultural building at Murton West Moor Farm Cottage, South Hetton (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included photographs of the site.  Members had visited the site the previous day and were familiar with the location and setting.

Councillor E Huntington, local Member, informed the Committee that she had no objection to the conversion of the agricultural buildings into 4 dwellings, but did have concerns regarding highways issues.  A scout hut at the end of the access road to the site, which was used by both young and elderly people, had no footpath to it.  The proposed passing place provided little advantage because it only provided approximately 30 metres visibility up the access road, and Councillor Huntington suggested that a passing place further up the road, towards the development would be more appropriate.  Councillor Huntington suggested that a condition be attached to the permission that a speed hump be placed across the access road at the scout hut to increase pedestrian safety for users of the hut.

Councillor Todd, local Member, agreed with Councillor Huntington, that there was no objection to the development, all issues were around highways matters.

The Senior Planning Officer informed the Committee that highways safety had been discussed during the site visit to the area, including the addition of a speed hump to increase pedestrian safety for the users of the scout hut.  Advice received from highways was that the proposed location of the passing place was the most advantageous and that it would be ensured that the passing place was a small as was needed.  The Principal DM Engineer (Highways) added that while he would support the provision of a speed hump, the provision of a passing place further up the road, nearer to the development would do little to alleviate a potential point of conflict with existing garages in the area.

Councillors Blakey, Bleasdale, and Moran all supported the installation of a speed hump being included as a condition of any permission granted.

Resolved:

That the application be approved, subject to the conditions detailed in the recommendations in the report and the addition of a condition regarding the installation of a speed hump.