Plans for self-build housing in Denmead refused by Winchester planners

Amy Hopkins wants permission for five houses on the edge of Denmead but the planning committee turned it down because it breaks policy.

Councillors said they like the idea of self-build but the scheme, on land south of School Lane, is in the wrong place.

The current application is identical to a previous plan that was rejected by the planning committee last year.

Planning officer Jordan Wiseman, recommending refusal, told the committee: "The proposal is a development in the countryside where no over-riding justification for it has been found."

READ MORE HERE: 2021 proposal for self-build houses in Denmead are rejected

Denmead parish councillor Denise Searle agreed: "The parish council strongly objects on the grounds that the site is outside the defined settlement boundary as defined in the Neighbourhood Plan. It is countryside and should be protected from development. It will set a precedent for others to build in countryside and undermine the Local Plan."

Cllr Caroline Brook, the ward councillor, was more supportive. She said she backed self-help builds as a way of retaining local distinctiveness.

"I understand the can of worms that can be opened if you allow self-build schemes. There is frustration when permission is given for Gypsy and Traveller sites. This applicant has tried to follow the correct procedure but has hit brick walls."

Cllr Brook said the council should be more flexible over village boundaries and not view them as "hard stoppers". This scheme could be viewed as a pilot for the future, she added.

The scheme's architect Paul Richard said the council's refusal was based on incorrect information as to the number of self-build sites it was earmarking. He said that would give grounds for a successful appeal.

Not meeting the demand for self-build justified building outside the village boundary, said Mr Richard. He said it should be treated as an 'exception site' and "several appeals have stated that exception policy can be used to support self-build outside settlement boundaries."

But the committee heard that irrespective of those numbers there were other strong reasons to refuse the plan.

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Cllr Frank Pearson said: "As much as I like the idea of self-build it has to fit the general policies of the council and this just doesn't, it's as simple as that. It is away from utilities, access is difficult and it is away from the village centre."

The meeting got heated with constant interruptions of the councillors from people in the public gallery.

Committee chairman Therese Evans said: "This is the second time for this application and not much has changed. The reasons for refusal have not changed... I can't have these constant interruptions, there have been a lot of sighing and demonstrations. Mr Richard has had several opportunities to speak and now you are interrupting again."

Cllr Pearson told Mr Richard: "You are not helping your case."

Mr Richard apologised and explained he was passionate about self-build and had been since the mid-1980s.

The planning committee voted by eight to none to reject the scheme.