Agenda item

Copies of the following papers attached:-

CHAIRMAN

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed Members of the Local Review Body and members of the public to the meeting.  The meeting was being held remotely in order to adhere to guidance on public meetings and social distancing currently in place, due to the Covic-19 pandemic.

There had been circulated copies of the request from Dr N. Miller, per Ferguson Planning, 54 Island Street, Galashiels, to review the decision to refuse the planning application for erection of a dwellinghouse and formation of access on land North West of Ramsacre, Thickside, Jedburgh. The supporting papers included the Notice of Review (including the Decision Notice and Officer’s Report); papers referred to in the Officer’s Report; Consultation; support comment; and a list of policies. In their initial discussion Members agreed that there was a building group in the vicinity of the proposed site and that there was capacity for an additional house.  Their ensuing consideration focussed on the relationship of the site to the building group and the potential visual and landscape impact of a house on the proposed site.  In doing so they noted the challenging nature of the site in terms of the sloping ground and proposed that the height of the design should be limited in order to be in character with the landscaped surroundings.  Members’ opinion was divided.  Councillor Fullarton moved that the officer’s decision be upheld and the application refused, but there was no seconder to this motion.  In terms of the height limitation that should be added by condition to planning consent there was a vote as follows:

VOTE

Councillor Mountford, seconded by Councillor Hamilton, moved that a condition be added to limit the height of the design to 1½ storeys.

Councillor Ramage, seconded by Councillor Anderson, moved as an amendment that a condition be added to limit the height of the design to 1 storey.

Members voted as follows:

Motion             - 5 votes

Amendment     - 4 votes

The motion was accordingly carried.

DECISION

DECIDED that:-

(a)        the request for a review had been competently made in terms of Section 43A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

(b)       the review could be considered without the need for any further procedure on the basis of the papers submitted;

(c)        the proposal would be in keeping with the Development Plan; and

(d)       the officer’s decision to refuse the application be reversed and planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and informatives for the reasons detailed in Appendix I to this Minute.