UNIQUE ECO-FRIENDLY 'TREE HOUSE' NEAR BRIGG GETS PLANNERS' WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT

A scheme to build a unique eco-friendly 'tree house' near Brigg was given wholehearted support by North Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee at its latest meeting.
We've been reporting planning committee meetings for more than 40 years, and it's a long time since we've heard an application being spoken about in such glowing terms by decision-making councillors and planners.
The so-called sustainable dwelling, a family home, can now proceed in Scawby Brook (including demolition of an existing outbuilding) on land to the south of Fairview, Brook Lane.
Every member of the district planning committee, chaired by Brigg & Wolds' Coun Nigel Sherwood, from Wrawby (pictured above), voted in favour of granting permission. 

They heard that's what planned will be the first of its kind in the region and one of the first anywhere in the UK.
Proposing the granting of permission, Mayor of North Lincolnshire Coun Jon Evison (Barton) said it was a joy to be a member of the planning committee when a lovely building like this was proposed.
Coun Len Foster (Brumby, Scunthorpe) stressed this sort of property was something the council should be encouraging.

Other councillors also spoke in favour of the application which referred to the committee because it involved a "departure from development plan" for Scawby Brook.
A planning officer's report prepared for committee members ahead of the 'virtual' meeting held on Wednesday (February 24) said: "The applicant is proposing a carbon neutral dwelling that is to display high levels of sustainability on an environmental front as well a design influenced by existing site characteristics."
It added: "The applicant has put forward a site analysis considering solar, wind, existing blue features (pond, watercourse) and green features (trees, green space) as well as key vistas within the site.
"The new dwelling will have net zero operational carbon in that it will not burn fossil fuels, will be 100% powered by renewable energy and will achieve a level of energy performance in use, in line with the national climate change targets. No carbon-offsetting is intended within this project.
"Electric car charging points are to be sited within the outbuilding as well as battery storage for the solar generated electricity. An electrically operated air source heat pump will power both heating and hot water within the house. The landscape strategy has been designed to include ground mounted solar panels, which can respond to the direction and angle of the sun and are more efficient than standard fixed roof-mounted panels."
The report concluded that the proposal was considered to be of sufficient merit to allow a new isolated home within the open countryside.
The planning officer recommended that the committee granted permission for this sustainable dwelling, and councillors did so unanimously.

Brigg Blog and many other people, including councillors, will be keen to see the Scawby Brook property when it's completed.