The Chair, in agreement with the Planning Committee re-ordered the agenda, as there was public speaking associated with this application.

DECISION: GRANT (PLANNING PERMISSION) 

SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS:

1.          The ancillary building hereby permitted shall be retained in accordance with the following approved plans and details:

Site Location Plan dated 19 June 2023

Block Plan, scale 1:500, dated 02/02/2023

Corrected/amended floor plan

Corrected/amended elevations

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

2.          The building hereby permitted is permitted solely as additional accommodation for the existing dwelling known as Church Farm Bungalow, Main Street, Beckley TN31 6RS and shall not be occupied by any person who is not a member of the family (as defined by section 186 of the Housing Act 1985 or in any provision equivalent to any re-enactment of that Act) residing in the family dwelling.

Reason: In the interests of protecting the character of the area and to preclude the creation of a new dwelling within the countryside, in accordance with Policies RA3 and OSS4 of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy and having regard to Policy DHG10 of the Development and Site Allocations Local Plan.

3.          Any existing or proposed external lighting should comply with the Institution of Lighting Professionals Guidance Note for the reduction of obtrusive light 2011(or later versions). It should be designed so that it is the minimum needed for security and operational processes and be installed to minimise potential pollution caused by glare and spillage.  In a rural area this should not exceed 600 lumens as detailed in the table below.

            Environmental Zones

The guidance advises that, where an area to be lit lies on the boundary of two zones or can be observed from another zone, the limits used should be those applicable to the most rigorous zone.

Reason: To prevent light pollution, overspill and obtrusive lighting and in the interests of protecting the dark sky environment and ecology within the countryside of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in accordance with Policies OSS4 (iii), RA3 (v) and EN1 (vii) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy and Policies DEN2 and DEN7 (ii) of the Development and Site Allocations Local Plan.

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK: In accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (paragraph 38) and with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against all material considerations, including planning policies and any representations that have been received and subsequently determining to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.