- Application Number
- 19/03358/FUL
- Application Date
- 26/07/2019
- Closing Date
- 20/09/2019
- Address
- Parcel 3131, Tucking Mill Lane, Midford
- Status
- Object
Provision of hard surface with associated drainage for access (Retrospective).
Our Response
The site is located within the setting of the City of Bath World Heritage Site and the surrounding rolling landscape is one of the most attractive approaches to the City. The Trust is concerned about the impact of the creation of hard standing of considerable size (12.5 x10m) on the openness of the Green Belt, landscape setting of the WHS and natural beauty of the Cotswold AONB.
We are also concerned about further incremental changes in particular to any enclosure and access associated removal of hedgerow, the addition of parked cars and increase in human activity will alter the rural character of this site and this lane. This would be at odds with the tranquil rural character of the area.
The application is woefully short of information as to the size, location and position of the hardstanding and nature of the materials proposed. There are no photographs. Importantly there is no landscape visual impact assessment, to show and assess the impact of the hard standing on the special character of this landscape in this important valley, nor any suggested mitigation of harm.
We question whether lighting, whilst not proposed, would eventually need to be installed near the parking area which would be entirely unacceptable. In our view this hardstanding is inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would harm the openness of the Green belt the natural beauty of the AONB and the setting of the WHS without any special justifying circumstances.
The hardstanding created fails to contribute positively to the character of the AONB or enhance the visual amenity of the GreenBelt and is therefore contrary to Placemaking Plan policies B4 (World Heritage Site), HE1a (Historic Environment), NE2 (Conserving and enhancing the landscape and landscape character), NE2A (Landscape setting of settlements) and CP8 (Green Belt).
This retrospective application should therefore be refused and steps taken to remedy the breach and reverse the harm to the landscape.
We are also concerned about further incremental changes in particular to any enclosure and access associated removal of hedgerow, the addition of parked cars and increase in human activity will alter the rural character of this site and this lane. This would be at odds with the tranquil rural character of the area.
The application is woefully short of information as to the size, location and position of the hardstanding and nature of the materials proposed. There are no photographs. Importantly there is no landscape visual impact assessment, to show and assess the impact of the hard standing on the special character of this landscape in this important valley, nor any suggested mitigation of harm.
We question whether lighting, whilst not proposed, would eventually need to be installed near the parking area which would be entirely unacceptable. In our view this hardstanding is inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would harm the openness of the Green belt the natural beauty of the AONB and the setting of the WHS without any special justifying circumstances.
The hardstanding created fails to contribute positively to the character of the AONB or enhance the visual amenity of the GreenBelt and is therefore contrary to Placemaking Plan policies B4 (World Heritage Site), HE1a (Historic Environment), NE2 (Conserving and enhancing the landscape and landscape character), NE2A (Landscape setting of settlements) and CP8 (Green Belt).
This retrospective application should therefore be refused and steps taken to remedy the breach and reverse the harm to the landscape.