| Conditions or Reasons: | | 1)
The application site lies outside of the Flitton Settlement Envelope and is within the open countryside. The proposed development would erode the rural landscape in an elevated position, urbanising the application site and going against the pattern and grain of the settlement, thereby harmfully altering the rural character of the area including the Greensand Ridge. As such the proposed development would conflict with Policies SP7, HQ8, EE5, EE8 and HQ1 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan, Policies ND1, D1 and RC1 of the Neighbourhood Plan as well as Section 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework. |
| 2)
The existing site comprises of an agricultural field where birds have been witnessed on site, including skylark, a protected species. No breeding bird surveys have been submitted with the application in order to establish the types of species, or number to support the design and whether mitigation is required. In addition, without these surveys, it can not be confirmed whether the proposed woodland area on the adjacent land which is to provide the required gain in BNG for the proposal is suitable. No completed legal agreement securing the BNG offsite and its long term management scheme which details the future ownership, management and maintenance of the site has been secured. Therefore, the proposed development would conflict with Policies EE2, EE3 and EE8 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan, Policy RC2 of the Neighbourhood Plan and Chapter 15 of the NPPF. |
| 3)
The proposed development is not in a Settlement Envelope, but is in open countryside and is not well connected to, nor safely accessible for pedestrians to nearby services, facilities or public transport. The proposal is therefore not sustainably located and contrary to Policies SP7, T2 and HQ1 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan, and Policy ND1, D1 and TT2 of the Neighbourhood Plan. |
|
|---|