The Council has decided to refuse planning permission for a proposed 2 storey front extension in a Green Belt location.

URL: https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1183

Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Committee considered an application that had been submitted for a proposed 2 storey front extension (with potential [future] PD Right A, B, C, D and E removed) for Rosings, Hundall, Apperknowle, Dronfield, S18 4BS.  Councillor A Dale had requested that the application be considered at Planning Committee to test Council and National Policy around percentage increases in volume in Green Belt Locations.   It was reported at the meeting that one late representation had been submitted in support of the application.   The recommendation of officers was to refuse permission.   The report set out the officer’s conclusion that the proposal was considered to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and there were no very special circumstances to clearly outweigh the harm.  The proposal was therefore contrary to policy SS10 of the Local Plan and the policies of the National Planning Policy Framework.   The Committee heard from Unstone Ward Councillor Alex Dale, Hayden Stimpson, a supporter, the applicant Jane Johnson, and Antony Johnson, who spoke on behalf of the agent.   The Committee considered the application.  It took into account the relevant Local and National Planning Policies.  These included Local Plan Policy SS10 regarding the Green Belt and LC5 regarding Residential Extensions.   Some Members of the Committee expressed sympathy to the circumstances of the applicant but concerns were raised about the precedent that would be set if this application were permitted, and also that there were no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm.   At the conclusion of the debate Councillor T Lacey and Councillor N Baker moved and seconded a Motion to refuse the application, in line with officer recommendation. The Motion was put to a vote and agreed.   RESOLVED – That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:   Local Plan Policy SS10 stated that new buildings within the Green Belt would not be granted planning permission; one exception being for extensions to existing dwellings providing it did not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original dwelling.   The National Planning Policy Framework also identified that the construction of new buildings in the Green Belt as inappropriate development, exceptions to this include the extension or alteration of a building provided that it did not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building.   Inappropriate development was, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances. Very special circumstances would not exist unless the potential harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm resulting from the proposal, was clearly outweighed by other considerations.   The proposed development, when taken cumulatively with previous extensions to the property, would represent in a disproportionate addition to the original dwelling and be inappropriate development by definition and therefore harmful to the North East Derbyshire Green Belt.   No very special circumstances exist to justify the proposal and clearly outweigh the harm caused. The development was therefore contrary to the requirements of Policy SS10 of the North East Derbyshire Local Plan and the aims and policies of the National Planning Policy Framework.  

Date of Decision: June 24, 2025