Bramerton - Draft Local Plan Representations, Site Reference GNLP0366 - OBJECTION

I wish to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposal to allocate this site for residential development as it would appear that the planning history of the site is not fully reflected in the settlement summary.

The site has been the subject of two previous planning appeals, one for residential development and the second for a photo voltaic panel array. In dismissing the residential appeal in a letter dated 7 January 2015, ref APP/L2630/A/14/2226538, Inspector Williams in paragraph 18 stated:

"I conclude that the appeal proposal would fail to preserve the setting of Orchard House. The conservation Area covers much of the historic core of the village and includes Orchard House. Historic buildings and their settings make a positive contribution to its character and appearance. In that context, taking into account the harm to the setting of Orchard House, the development would also fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Bramerton Conservation Area."

In dismissing the later, photo voltaic panel array, appeal in a letter dated 13 April 2016, ref APP/L2630/W/15/3136375, Inspector Parker in paragraph 9 stated:

"I therefore conclude that the proposal would fail to preserve the setting of the Grade 2 listed building, Orchard House, and the Bramerton Conservation Area. As such the proposal would be contrary to Policy 4.10 of the DMPD which, amongst other aims, seeks to ensure that considerable weight must be given to the desirability of preserving listed buildings, their settings and the character and appearance of conservation areas."

A third application SNC 2016/1163 for development of this site, this time for three bungalows, was subsequently submitted to the South Norfolk Council on 19 May 2016 and refused by the Council on 14 July 2016 stating that:

"The open undeveloped nature of the site, which enhances the setting of the listed Orchard House and its connection to open countryside, make a significant contribution to the setting of the Conservation Area, the setting of the listed building and the site contributes to the characteristics this area. The proposed development would be significantly harmful to its immediate setting and the listed building, to the Conservation Area and would also be demonstrably harmful to the defining characteristics of this part of South Norfolk. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy 2 of the Joint Core Strategy, DM4.10 and DM4.5 of the South Norfolk Local Plan Development Management Policies Document. As the proposal would result in harm to the significance of the heritage assets through inappropriate development in their setting, it is contrary to S66 (1) and S72 of Listed Buildings Act 1990. In view of the identified harm, the proposal is not considered to be sustainable development"

A further application SNC 2017/1668 requesting change of use from agricultural to garden use was submitted on 11 July 2017 and granted, subject to certain conditions, by the Council on 5 September 2017. However the Council stated that

"The land hereby approved for change of use, as shown on the approved location plan submitted on 11 July 2017, shall be used for no other purpose than being incidental to the dwelling known as Orchard House."

"The land hereby approved for change of use will form part of the curtilage of the listed farmhouse and therefore all permitted development rights the house would normally have under Classes ABCDE&G (C/e) are removed. Any development of the land will therefore require a formal planning permission."

Circumstances have not changed since the decisions of the two appeal inspectors and the South Norfolk Council, which are referred to above, were made and l therefore urge the Council not to progress the proposed allocation any further.