Decision details

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services clarified the difference in volume of the application with the previous application 10/0547-SC.  She also reported that an email had been received from the applicant's agent, as well as a letter from the applicant in support of the proposals, and informed the Committee of the comments of Central Networks and Worcestershire Highways.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. C. Woodwiss addressed the Committee and spoke in support of his application.

Consideration was then given to the application which had been recommended for refusal by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services.  However, on the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that -

(i)         the modest scale of the proposals to have limited harm on the openness of the Green Belt;

(ii)        there was a need to acknowledge Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the security requirements in the rural location of the application site; and

(iii)       the high design specification of the proposed structure, as well as the inclusion of green infrastructure,

constituted very special circumstances to outweigh the harm that would be caused to the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within the Green Belt.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to any reasonable conditions and notes considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services.