Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr John Norris spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Graham Dobson, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Area Development Manager presented a report which recommended that planning permission be granted. Key issues were stated to include the principle of the proposed alterations to create a studio workshop from existing garages, with dormer windows, and the impact upon neighbouring amenity from the design. It was clarified that previous residential applications for the site had been refused due to access concerns, but that highways had not objected to the current application.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer.

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

The Local Member, Councillor Gordon King, then detailed the local concerns as raised by the objector and the Town Council.

A debate followed, where the usefulness of a site visit by the Committee was discussed and by majority felt not to be necessary in this instance given the information provided and principle matters of concern. The requirement that the site not be used for commercial use was raised and whether suggested conditions needed strengthening, along with consideration of the impact of the proposed dormer windows.

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

To GRANT planning permission 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 the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.    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), the garage, studio, store and workshop hereby permitted shall not be converted to habitable accommodation.

       REASON:  To safeguard the amenities and character of the area and in the interest of highway safety.

3.    The building hereby permitted shall not be used at any time other than for purposes ancillary to the residential use of the dwelling known as 17 Chalford, Westbury and shall not be separately let or sold.

       REASON: The building is sited in a position where the Local Planning Authority, having regard to the reasonable standards of residential amenity, access, and planning policies pertaining to the area, would not permit a non-residential use, in particular in relation to traffic generation at the access point onto Warminster Road.

4.    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Drawing number 13712 - 1 received on the 17 October 2013;

Drawing number 13712 - 2 received on the 9 August 2013; and

Drawing number 13712 - 3 received on the 9 August 2013.

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.