Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing buildings and replacement with up to 2.5 storey extension to main building to provide 4 self-contained flats and redevelopment of existing coach house building to provide 1 maisonette unit with associated parking, cycle and bin storage, and landscape works.

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED:

1.    That delegated authority be granted to the Planning Service Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, to tweak the conditions in relation to landscaping to ensure verdancy and the condition regarding materials to ensure permeability; and

2.    That the application be approved.

Demolition of existing buildings and replacement with up to 2.5 Storey extension to main building to provide 4 self-contained flats and redevelopment of existing coach house building to provide 1 maisonette unit with associated parking, cycle and bin storage, and landscape works.

Officers introduced the application and highlighted the additional information set out in the addendum. It was considered that the proposed development would not harm the character and appearance of the area and would not unduly impact the living conditions of neighbouring properties. The proposal would provide 16 car parking spaces, seven of which would be allocated to the existing flats at the site. The application was recommended for approval.

A petition had been submitted in objection to the application. The Lead Petitioner was in attendance and addressed the Committee highlighting the following points:

·       The application site was located in an Area of Special Local Character (ASLC). The Heritage report described the special local characteristics of Dene Road ASLC as comprising detached houses set back from the road with large gardens, a verdant appearance and mature trees in profusion. This ASLC was about the front gardens – shrubs, trees and green features of quality.

·       The front garden of Tormead currently had trees in abundance. The application plan sought to cut down the hedge, fell 13 trees at the front and turn the current small car park into a 16-space car park.

·       The building site next door to Tormead was an ecological disaster zone. Residents did not want to see the same happen at Tormead.

·       The Council’s policies set out the need to conserve ASLCs and protect bio-diversity to support changes to adapt to climate change and encourage the development of wildlife corridors. Dene Road was already such a wildlife corridor and needed protection.

·       A suggested solution was to install the new parking spaces in the basement. The current front garden could then be retained.

The agent was in attendance and addressed the Committee. Key points highlighted included:

·       The proposal sought to deliver 4 3-bed units and a 2-bed flat – a net gain of 4 homes.

·       The proposal had been developed in consultation with planning officers and a Conservation Officer. It had taken account of officer’s feedback and had resulted in a heritage-led sympathetically designed scheme with no loss of good quality trees. Verdancy would be very much maintained.

·       The proposal would make better use of an underutilised site and would make a positive contribution to meet the Borough’s housing needs.

·       It would not impact adversely on neighbouring amenity and would offer high quality accommodation, an abundance of attractive amenity space and sufficient on-site parking.

·       The extension’s footprint would be comparable to the current and represented a modest and subservient addition to Tormead. Space standards would be exceeded.

·       The proposal would sustain the current listing status.

·       Planning conditions would be accepted including obscure windows to account for neighbouring amenity.

In response to Members’ questions, the agent confirmed that verdancy would be maintained as per the proposed landscaping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108