Worrying developments!
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Retrospective plans provoking criticism
– Planning
by Kristen Bounds – Reporter; Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette
The retrospective planning application comes after a previous planning application to construct the main dwelling on the property, which was highly contested back in 2011 because of its size and sensitive location.
Planning officers approved the application for the home in 2012 after some scaling back of the original plans.
The applicants then acquired an adjoining strip of agricultural land upon which they proceeded to build the tennis court, skate park and garage, which was finished in 2016.
The RPA was finally submitted in January this year, described as a retrospective application for change of use of land to domestic use with carport and storage building.
The South Hams Society, a charitable organisation which aims to promote the conservation of the South Hams and encourage high standards of planning, said the application has “little merit”.
In its objection letter, SHS said the application would clearly fail its test as to whether the highest standards of planning have been followed, and said it is “clearly much more than a retrospective application to correct a minor technical planning issue”.
The society says the buildings have been built on what is classified as agricultural land without any of the normal ecological surveys or environmental checks being carried out, including drainage and the impact on wildlife.
Cathy Koo, vice chair of SHS, said: “The South Hams Society has campaigned for many years to ensure that the South Devon AONB and Heritage Coast are protected for the benefit of present and future generations.
“We are extremely concerned about what has happened at Gerston Point. A beautiful and highly sensitive site has been damaged by an unlawful and intrusive development.
“Along with others, we have lodged a strong objection to the retrospective application which was submitted to SHDC this January. We don’t know what action has been taken by the council since 2016 when the work was done; we do know that its enforcement resources are limited.
“But seeking planning approval via the back door – as we see in this case – must not be allowed to become the ‘new normal’ in the South Hams.
“The South Hams Society wants to see the council making full use of its enforcement powers to right this wrong and demonstrate that it can’t be walked over. This area is already under huge pressure from developers of all types and it is high time that a clear message went out that no one is above the law.”
West Alvington Parish Council has also made its view clear, and highlighted the same objections as the SHS, along with other points.
Among these, the parish council said the new carport and storage on the land is visible from neighbouring fields, surrounding hills and roads, and the roof of the carport and storage unit is “significantly higher” than the home.
WAPC also claims the documents contain misleading and/or wrongful statements in at least six important areas, and that it is misleading when considering the Section 106 agreements the applicants originally signed when the house was approved and built back in 2012.
The council also noted there is no mention of the impact of the solar panels on the roof of the garage which increase the overall visibility of the building.
WAPC said in view of those agreements, the applicants “cannot reasonably say they were unaware of either the need to obtain planning permission to carry out any works on this highly sensitive site, or the obligation to undertake environmental and ecological surveys”.
The Section 106 agreement was redacted in 2017.
SHDC has been contacted, but said it cannot comment at this stage as the application in question is currently being considered in accordance with the council’s planning policies and procedures.
The agent, Stopher Design Partnership Ltd, has also been contacted, but no comment was received at the time of going to press.
To view the application, visit SHDC’s online planning portal with the reference: 0042/19/FUL.
KINGSBRIDGE GAZETTE – FRONT PAGE – WINSLADE SLURRY STORE
Manure store plan sparks water fears
Parish council states it no longer backs scheme – by Kristen Bounds
An application for a proposed extension of a manure store has raised concern among nearby residents about the effect it could have on their clean water supply. Alan Smith, a resident- of North Pool near Frogmore, argues that the location is too close to the local aquifer, which provides clean drinking water to 12 homes in the hamlet.
The application for the 6500 square metre site was submitted to South Hams District Council by Perraton Partners, of Wmslade Farm, Frogmore. The proposed location of the slurry lagoon is positioned directly above the aquifer where the water is extracted less than 300 metres from the site, Mr Smith said. The site is on one of the highest geographic fields in the area, while North Pool sits at bottom of the hill in a valley. Mr Smith said there are five houses just over 300 metres from the proposed site, with a further seven homes nearby, and argued that the site could provide a health hazard to the young primary school children and elderly that live in them. Other residents have objected on the same grounds, stating that slurry pits can and emit potentially dangerous gases such as ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and methane.
Ed Perraton of Perraton Partners said that there is already a manure store in that same location which was there for almost 30 years and has never caused concern. They added North Pool has never had any water issues that they have been aware of.
Store ‘will comply with rules’
However, Mr Smith said that the existing store is currently dried up and appears to not have used for quite some time. Perraton Partners stated: “The reason we need to enlarge it is because we need to store the manure for longer through the winter because of new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones rules for our area. “The store is more 400m metres from the nearest North Pool property. Obviously, the extended store would have to comply with rules set by the Environment Agency.
South Pool Parish Council, which includes the hamlet of North Pool approved the application at first but then revisited it once it was made aware of the possible hazards. The council’s clerk, Janet Green, said: “South Pool Parish Council has met and revisited the above application, having received new facts and evidence re the private water supply to the houses at North Pool. “The site is situated within metres of the water supply to a group of houses, all within our parish at North Pool – “Had this information regarding the water supply available with the application at our council meeting last week, this parish council would definitely not have supported the application- “SPPC wishes to withdraw its support for application 4039/18/FUL and recommend the site moved towards Frogmore away from the dwellings, the water supply and the main road. “The parish council is also concerned re the ammonia fumes and air pollution close to dwellings and the main “South Pool PC has already stated on its original reply concerns re the lack of information with this application.”
Other residents from around the area objected on the grounds of it affecting the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as being above a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Mr Smith noted that many people stop outside the proposed slurry site as it is geographically one of the highest points overlooking the Kingsbridge and Ria- He said it is often used by the public to view the unique landscape. A decision for the application is expected to be made with the target date of February 4 having passed already. A spokesperson for South Hams District Council said: “The application in question, 4039/18/FUL, is currently being considered in accordance with the council’s planning applications policies and procedures, and no recommendation has been made. “As part of the process, both the council’s Environmental Health team and the Environment Agency have been consulted. “We are unable to comment on live applications-“
To read the Society’s Letter of Representation visit the South Hams Disrict Council’s Planning File



