SD22A/0322
Demolition of all existing derelict structures on the site and the construction of 18 residential units provided in 2 separate blocks; Block 1 will be 3 storeys high and will contain 12 units; Block 2 will be two storeys high and will contain 6 units; The 18 units consist of 6 one bed apartments, 6 two bed apartments, 3 three bed duplexes and 3 three bed apartments; Ancillary development including reusing existing vehicular access/egress off Hazelhatch Road, providing a new vehicular egress (only) onto Main Street, car and cycle parking, open space, landscaping, boundary treatment (including existing stone wall at east side of the site to be partially removed, along with gates, with main portion of wall repaired and lowered), footpaths, circulation areas and all associated site works.
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development was refused due to non-compliance with rural zoning objectives, significant negative impacts on archaeological heritage and the Architectural Conservation Area, poor architectural design quality, and inadequate provision of public open space.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development fails to demonstrate compliance with the 'RU' zoning objective and rural housing policies, inappropriately placing car parking and roads on land reserved for rural amenity and agriculture.
- The scale, massing, and design of the proposal would cause detrimental harm to the setting of recorded monuments and the special character of the Newcastle Architectural Conservation Area.
- The site layout is deficient in providing high-quality, accessible, and safe public open space and children's play areas as required by the County Development Plan.