Gilbert Scott House, Flax Bourton PROFESSIONAL PLANNING APPRAISAL
4.2 The key requirements of redevelopment on previously developed (brownfield) sites
in the Green Belt (outside of settlement boundaries) are noted above, at paragraph
3.3, whereby the paramount consideration is that proposals have no greater impact
on the openness and visual amenities of the Green Belt than the existing building(s)
on the site.
4.3 This translates into an ‘allowance’ of building footprint and volume that can be re -
provided on the site (once existing structures are removed), subject to locational,
massing, and other design considerations. The existing building is extensive and
covers a significant area of the site, and given the proximity of trees to the northwest
area of the site, suggests a natural location for replacement building(s).
4.4 Given the noted constraints and the documented planning history of the 4no.
former care homes on the northeast side of the access drive; conversion of the
existing building would be the path of least resistance for a residential planning
application, and policy DM12 also contains the high-level criterion for these types
of proposals. The change of use of the building would not be considered
inappropriate, including any associated alterations or additions as part of the
conversion works, which need to be proportionate, visually acceptable, and
consider the setting of the adjoining listed building.
4.5 Although the property has not been inspected as part of this appraisal, looking at
the floor plans for the building, it appears that the property can be successfully
subdivided into multiple properties, whilst maintaining suitable dual-aspect outlooks.
4.6 The site is part of the Flax Bourton settlement and relates physically well to the
surrounding built form. Locally there are frequent bus services, accessed via stops
either on Weston Road or the A370, a short walk from the site, as are local facilities.
As such, the site is well connected and suitable for residential development. The
site is also within Flood Zone 1 (Low Risk), which is sequentially preferable in flood risk
terms for housing.
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