New home not built to plans

A new Crowland home could have to come down after it was built contrary to planning permission.

Planning officers say the home on The Willows was meant to be built in a similar style to the rest of that estate, while the floor is not as high as was agreed, leading to an objection from the Environment Agency.

That concern over flooding was the main reason South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee unanimously agreed to reject the proposals.

A representation for the developer claimed there had been agreement from planners on some changes and threatened legal action.

“To say anyone has tried to ride roughshod over the planning system or building control is a lie,” the statement said.

But the meeting was also told the developer should have submitted another planning application for the proposed changes to the conditions.

Planning officer Lucy Buttery said: “The applicant is correct, he sought informal advice from an officer in respect of brick type and roof materials. The officer gave a view that they appeared to be acceptable.

“Our records do not show any such similar requests relating to door and window details or type of brick bonding which are present on the originally approved plans.

“While the applicant could cite a reasonable expectation that this informal advice was binding, no formal consent has been issued for the materials.

“Officers are of the view the overriding concern relates to flood risk, so should the officers approve the recommendation and approve the decision, officers will make it clear to the appeal officers will not contest the materials issue.”

Councillors were unanimously in agreement to object to the proposal and said councillors should contest all aspects of the breaches.

Coun Paul Redgate said: “It’s another retrospective application where a developer has sought to interpret information provided of their own volition and come up with a result which is not in keeping with what is a really nice area.

“This must be seen as a lesson learned that if people are unclear, seek formal counsel and don’t make assumptions.

“If there are conditions, you ought to follow them,” Coun Henry Bingham said.

“They were warned, this is where they need to be, and there’s no excuse.

“I can understand the animosity from the applicant but I can’t understand it when it comes from being either ignorant or incompetent when building the property.”