Issue - meetings

Installation of air source heat pumps with plant enclosure and construction of canopy.

A site visit was held in respect of this application on 8^th December 2025 by Councillors Louise Belcher, Dave Brookes, Keith Budden, Alan Greenwell, John Hanson, Paul Newton, Catherine Potter, Robert Redfern and Sandra Thornberry. In attendance was Planning Applications Manager Jennifer Rehman.

Under the scheme of public participation, Diana McIntyre (Closing Loops co-ordinator) spoke in favour of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Sandra Thornberry and seconded by Councillor Alan Greenwell:

“That the application be refused for the reasons given in the Committee Report.”

Upon being put to the vote, 8 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with 7 against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be refused for the following reasons:

1.     By reason of the inappropriate scale, design, appearance and siting, the proposed Air Source Heat Pumps and associated enclosures, would result in an incongruous, industrial and utilitarian form of development in a highly sensitive location. It is considered that such development would cause a high level of less than substantial harm to the significance and special interest of the surrounding Grade II and II* Listed Buildings, Grade II Listed walls and steps and the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The identified harm is not outweighed by public benefits nor is it clearly and convincingly justified. Consequently, the proposal would fail to conserve and enhance the historic environment and is contrary to the aims and requirements of Policy SP7 of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations Development Plan Document, Policies DM29, DM37, DM38, DM39 and DMCCH2 of the Development Management Development Plan Document and Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.     The proposed development would result in the loss of, and adverse impacts to, designated open space. Policy DM27 of the Development Management DPD expects development proposals that are adjacent to designated open spaces, to incorporate design measures that ensure that there are no negative impacts on the amenity and functionality of the space. Policy DM27 also sets out that the Council will not permit the loss of designated open space, unless it is assessed as being surplus to requirements and demonstrated that it no longer has an environmental or community value. No such mitigation or justification as required by this policy has been provided and it is the view of the LPA that the impacts of the proposal on this important area of open space represents a significant and unacceptable conflict with policy SC3 of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD and policies DM27 and DM29 of the Development Management DPD and Section 8 of the National Planning Policy Framework.