Agenda item

Public Participation

Tom Corbin spoke in objection to the application.

Susan Sneddon, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Senior Planning Officer presented a report which recommended the application be approved. Key issues were stated to include the principle of the development, impact upon residential amenity and the character of the area and highways safety.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the size of the proposed flats, bin storage and communal garden use.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee, as detailed above.

The local Unitary Division Member, Councillor Ricky Rogers, then spoke in objection to the application, stating parking problems would be increased in the area, and that while there was a demand for one bedroom properties in this case there would be a loss of neighbouring amenity due to the overdevelopment.

The Committee discussed the application, noting the level of demand for smaller properties, and debating whether the proposals were suitable to meet that demand. The level of floorspace for each flat was assessed, and it was noted there was no minimum standard in the UK, and the comments from Environmental Health were noted. The impact on the wider area was raised, along with the current level of occupancy of the building and its impact on residents.

At the end of debate, it was,

Resolved:

That the Area Development Manager (South) be delegated to grant planning permission following completion of a Section 106 obligation requiring payment of a financial contribution towards off-site recreation / open space provision, and subject to the following conditions -

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

REASON: To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by section 51(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.      The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those used in the existing building.

REASON: To ensure that the proposed extension will satisfactorily harmonise with the external appearance of the existing building

3.      The development hereby permitted shall not be first occupied until the whole of the proposed car parking areas have been consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel). These areas shall be maintained as such thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

4.      The gradient of the proposed car parking areas shall not at any point be steeper than 1 in 15 for a distance of 4.8m from the back of the paved footway.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

5.      No development shall commence on site until a scheme for the discharge of surface water from the site (including surface water from the car parking areas), incorporating sustainable drainage details, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall not be first occupied until surface water drainage has been constructed in accordance with the approved scheme.

REASON: To ensure that the development can be adequately drained.

6.      Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No.2) (England) Order 2008 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), no window, dormer window or rooflight, other than those shown on the approved plans, shall be inserted in the side elevations or roofslopes of the development hereby permitted.

REASON:  In the interests of residential amenity and privacy.

7.      Before the development hereby permitted is first occupied, the 3 bathroom windows in the rear elevation shall be glazed with obscure glass only and the windows shall be permanently maintained with obscure glazing at all times thereafter.

REASON:  In the interests of residential amenity and privacy

8.      This development shall be in accordance with the submitted drawings:

- 1869-05 rev D, dated October 2014 and received to this office on 13/11/14

REASON:  For the avoidance of doubt.