Plans to turn a steel shed into a self-build home were refused by planners after councillors were told doing the opposite would be ‘the worst precedent you will set’.
South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee had been recommended to refuse the application to create a three-bed home in what was previously a maintenance shed amid holiday lodges off High Road in Moulton.
Officers said it wasn’t sustainable for a dwelling due to it being in open countryside, contrary to planning laws.
But some councillors said the application should be passed.
“Yes, it doesn’t meet the policy but nobody would ever see it off the road and it would fit in keeping with the holiday lodges,” said Coun Anthony Casson (pictured) who asked for it to be brought before the committee.
“It’s a lovely site, completely out of sight.”
“I would say it enhances the building and surrounding area,” argued his fellow ward councillor Coun Andrew Woolf. “It’s done to a very high standard.”
But other councillors sided with officers, Coun Chris Brewis called it the ‘most dangerous decision this committee might make.”
Coun Sophie Hutchinson added: “It’s a dwelling in its own right, not part of the site. Though I do really like the design, it’s not policy complaint.”
Planning chair Coun James Avery added: “It would open the floodgates to any Tom, Dick and Harry looking at their crappy old shed in the back of a garden or field saying it has architectural merit and be developed.”
Planning officer Nick Atkinson told councillors ruling it was sustainable would be the same as saying building ‘20 to 30 houses’ on the site was also fine.
“If you say this is a sustainable location than I promise it will be the worst precedent you will set.
“Please, please, please, it’s absolutely not sustainable by your own local plan.”
After a vote to go against officer’s recommendations and approve the application was defeated by four votes to six, a vote to refuse it was carried by five votes to three with two abstentions.
