From: caroline wells Sent: 12 March 2019 13:00 To: Developmentmanagement Subject: Planning Application 19/00914/FUL - Objection - Littleworth House SN9 5LF Planning Application No. 19/00914/FUL Littleworth House, Littleworth, Pewsey, SN9 5LF Further to a telephone conversation with Emma Gillespie, Case Officer for this application, on Friday 8th March. I explained that we had only become aware of this particular application very recently, and were unable to confirm the details of the application or the deadline for comment, as Wiltshire Council's Planning website had been unavailable for a number of days. I requested an extension of the deadline because of its unavailability, but Ms Gillespie explained that while that was not in her remit to grant this, she would continue to accept comments up to the date of her final decision. We therefore wish to make you aware of our objections to the proposed two storey extension at Littleworth House SN9 5LF, Planning Application No. 19/00914/FUL. We have consulted both the Milton Lilbourne Village Design Statement (VDS) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) dated February 2019. Although Kennet District Council was abolished in 2009 and became part of Wiltshire Council, we note that the Milton Lilbourne VDS states at 1.1 that it is to be used … as an emerging supplementary planning document to the current Kennet District Council Local Plan 2011. The hamlet of Littleworth sits within the parish of Milton Lilbourne, which itself lies is the Vale of Pewsey, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Littleworth House is an extremely attractive property, blending in gracefully with the surrounding landscape, with the dramatic Martinsell Hill forming the backdrop to the property as its approached from the crossroads of the B3087. It is, without doubt, the most charming property in the hamlet. The scale of the proposed extension, which will double the frontage of the property, will dominate and, we feel, monopolise the approach to the hamlet, changing the landscape irrevocably. What is now a pretty house will become an imposing property, out of keeping with its location. While we understand that the applicants naturally wish to fully benefit from the views of Martinsell Hill to the rear of the property, we believe that this will be to the detriment of the hamlet and not in accordance with the Milton Lilbourne VDS, specifically the Main Recommendations at 2.2, The Visual Character of the Surrounding Countryside at 4.1 and The Relationship Between Buildings and Spaces at 5.4. While we acknowledge that 5.4 specifically mentions Milton Lilbourne, we feel it should also be used in conjunction with the hamlet of Littleworth in this context; 2.2 c) Keep the character of the village settlement in sympathy with the surrounding countryside 4.1 Although it is important to maintain the individuality of each hamlet, they must continue to blend into the surrounding countryside. 5.4 …. character and heritage are derived from dwelling which stand within their own ground in proportion with the size of the plot. This creates a feeling of space within the village … A planning application for a much smaller two storey extension, registered by the previous owners in 2003 (Kennet District Council application No. K/045193) was approved because it was subservient to the main building. The current proposed extension is anything but subservient. Finally, the NPPF specifically sets out in Section 15 - Conserving and enhancing the natural environment - that: 172. Great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues. The conservation and enhancement of wildlife and cultural heritage are also important considerations in these areas, and should be given great weight in National Parks One potential option which would visually reduce the impact of any extension on the front of the property, could be to turn it through 90 degrees and build it out to the rear of the property. We are happy to meet with Case Officer to discuss our concerns further, if required. Kind regards Mr & Mrs A Wells Totteridge Farm House Littleworth Pewsey Wiltshire SN9 5LF.