Pro-live/work planning policy upheld by members

Elected members have overturned their officers’ attempt to block a development that complies with the council’s own pro-live/work policy. North Somerset council’s planning committee voted to back Tuckerwood Development’s plans for 24 dwellings including 14 live/work units in the village of Winscombe.

The developer submitted an outline application on the site, an open field zoned for housing in the council’s existing local plan.

Each live/work dwelling would consist of a three three and eleven four bedroom two-storey dwelling containing an individual work unit.

Under the council’s H7 policy, new residential development is not allowed outside of the district’s four main towns unless it is in the form of live/work units, retirement accommodation or affordable housing. The policy is designed to curb commuting from local villages.

Officers recommended refusal for the scheme on the grounds that the construction of 14 high density live/work units in a single street would lead to a build up of business uses not in keeping with the village’s residential character. Their report also questioned whether the live/work units would remain in this use.

However local residents submitted a 275 signature petition backing the development on the grounds that it represented a preferable option to initial plans for an office block on the site and one closer to the spirit of policy H7.

The village’s parish council suggested that if the proposed concentration of live/work units were to be allowed, advertising for individual businesses and signage should be strictly limited. The council’s report can be viewed here