Reference number: R10/1920
Site address: 3 and 4 Draycote Water, Kytes Hardwick, Rugby
Description: Certificate of Lawfulness for occupation of the properties known as No.'s 3 and 4 Draycote Water by persons not employed by Severn Trent Water Limited.
History: 463/16 Additional staff dwelling (one pair semi-detached) Approved 09/07/73 (Planning) and garages.
Proposal: The applicants seek to authorise the continuing occupation of the properties by persons not employed by Severn Trent Water Limited. Modern technology and alterations in working practices means that it is no longer necessary for Severn Trent staff to be on the site 24/7, and the applicant has evidence of occupation by non-employees dating back 14 years.
Setting: The dwellings form part of a small cluster of 5no. dwellings (one detached and of a unique design and two sets of semi-detached handed dwellings of identical design) located within the confines of the Draycote Water Reservoir site.
The properties are well screened from the adjacent Southam Road, and largely from the rest of the Draycote Water Reservoir site, by mature beech hedges and secondary shrubbery. This effectively leads to them being viewed in isolation from the land around them.
Planning Policy: Annex 8 of Circular 10/97
Considerations: The only issue under consideration in this instance is whether the applicants have provided sufficient evidence to support a claim that the properties in question have not been occupied by Severn Trent Water Limited employees for a period of at least 10 years.
The applicant has given proof in the form of a signed statement to that effect.
In the absence of any alternative evidence held by the Local Planning Authority, this is deemed to be sufficient evidence to confirm that the use is now considered lawful by virtue of the fact that occupation for the last 14 years has been by persons not employed by Severn Trent Water Limited or relatives of such employees.
Recommendation: Grant the certificate.
Report prepared by: C Davies 10/11/2010
Report Sheet