“NATURAL justice” led to county councillors allowing a couple to build a family home on an empty site between two previously approved homes at Spittal, despite an officers’ recommendation for refusal.

Outline planning permission was granted for three dwellings on the former Golden Hill garage site near Spittal in September 2008.

Two of them have been built, but, since the introduction of the Local Development Plan in February 2013, planning permission for the third property was recommended for refusal.

A report for planners says the third property would conflict with the council’s restraint strategy on new housing in the countryside, create an unjustified visual intrusion and represent an unsustainable form of development.

The application was deferred from the February meeting of the county council’s planning and rights of way committee meeting, with members indicating they were minded to approve.

At last Tuesday’s March meeting of the committee the application, supported by Spittal Community Council, was recommended for refusal by officers.

Councillor Brian Hall said he sympathised with the applicants, but moved the recommended refusal on the basis the application was contrary to the LDP, warning that to do otherwise would set a precedent and “open the floodgates” for similar applications.

Councillor Peter Stock said: “We’ve already got two dwellings built on the site; I can’t see what’s changed at all.”

He added: “Surely it is logic at the end of the day for the third one to be built.”

Councillor Tony Wilcox felt the LDP was “a sound piece of work,” but had a few “anomalies”.

He added: “There is nothing wrong with this application at all, this application has just fallen between two stools.

“In the interest of natural justice I will be supporting this 100 per cent.”

Councillor Gwilym Price said approving the application came down to “natural justice and common sense,” adding: “Any refusal would be absolutely ludicrous and we would be an absolute laughing stock.”

The application, with a contribution towards affordable housing of £7,631.25 was approved by committee members by 10-2 votes.

It will now be heard by full council at a future meeting.