Hill House Planning Application

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's West Planning Committee last week, Wednesday 8 September, considered a planning application at land associated with Hill House, Birmingham Road, Pathlow.

The Planning application was for the 'demolition of Hill House offices and associated outbuildings and cessation of office use, construction of one dwelling with garaging and associated domestic curtilage and new access on land nearby to Hill House.'

The Committee voted 8 votes to zero with one abstention to grant planning permission subject to 13 conditions and 4 notes (see list below).

Cllr Kim James, Planning Committee Chairman says: "Members of the committee had a thorough and detailed debate which justified and vindicated the authority's consistent approach in its decision making.  Green belt issues are a maze in themselves without being distracted by non associated planning issues, however above all it is a judgment by officers and inevitably members as the decision makers.

"We can stand by this decision knowing full well that it was taken on planning issues and in accordance with both local and national policy and the special circumstances associated with this application have been ratified."

• Hill House was originally a dwelling. Several extensions to the dwelling were granted planning permission in 1997 and 1998 and were constructed. Planning permission was granted in 1975 for land nearby to be used as a gypsy and travellers site, which is run by the District Council. In 2000 planning permission was granted for Hill House to change its use to offices.
• That planning permission is GRANTED, subject to the following 13 conditions and 4 notes (detailed wording delegated to officers):

1. 3 year commencement
2. Levels details
3. Materials samples
4. Foul & Surface Water drainage details
5. Hard & Soft Landscaping including boundary treatment and replacement planting within 5 years
6. Protection of existing trees and hedges
7. Provision of access in accordance with approved details prior to first occupation
8. Provision of turning area and position of gates
9. Provision and maintenance of visibility splays
10. Demolition of Hill House and outbuildings, removal of all materials and reinstatement of land to 'grassland' in accordance with approved scheme prior to first occupation
11. Removal of permitted development rights
12. Implementation of photo voltaic energy measures
13. Bat mitigation measures

Notes:

1. Bats and bat license
2. Nesting birds
3. Highway works
4. Amended plans