Issue - meetings

Erection of a part single, part two storey side and rear extensions, a loft rear dormer extension with 2 no. roof lights to the front roof slope and front porch.

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved

Councillor Nelson-West left the room for this item.

Officers introduced the item.

A written representation from the lead petitioner was read out:

There were no objections to a family extending their home as in the case of 31 and 33 Hayes End Drive.

This is not the case with this rented property. This was a landlord trying to increase the income from as many tenants as he can.

This was based on all the applicant’s previous applications:

•              27 September 2023 – Erection of a three-bedroom dwelling to rear of existing house – rejected.

•              17 January 2024 – Erection of a three-bedroom dwelling next to existing house – rejected.

•              10 May 2024 – Erection of a two storey, two-bedroom house attached to 16 Hayes End Drive. Applicant was given an option to withdraw application or it would be rejected.

•              15 July 2024 – Erection of a part single two storey side and rear extension. No objection from petitioners.

•              22 August 2024 – Amended planning application with a larger footprint of the two-storey side and rear extension, rear dormers, roof lights, two double back doors and large windows side of extension. Applicant had to reduce the width of the two-storey extension.

•              16 October 2024 – An extra-large widow added to the side extension. Making it three large widows and side door. Already having two double back doors. So potentially becoming a dwelling attached to 16 Hayes End Drive with entrance from Wilma Close.

Petitioners strongly opposed the three large widows on the side elevation. None of the other corner houses had been allowed such large windows, other than a single small opaque window for the landing one per floor, due to the fact the end elevation over looks neighbouring properties and will overlook a rear garden resulting in a lack of privacy. And the door in the side elevation, again no other corner houses have been allowed a side door.

The big concern was that this door will become a front door to a divided property i.e. 16 and 16a.

If the Council approves this application, petitioners requested conditions that the house cannot be divided into two properties and no HMO.

Other considerations were Wilma Close was significantly narrower than other local roads so potentially having an extra dwelling to the side of 16 Hayes End Drive or turning it into an HMO would cause greater problems for parking on an already congested Close.

This area was a medium flood plane and having this extra building footprint could increase the runoff increasing the risk of flooding.

Councillor Darran Davies addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor and made the following points:

•              This property risked overdevelopment and harm to the area's character. The extensions were excessive for a prominent corner plot, disrupting the open and uniform nature of the neighbourhood. This directly conflicted with policy DMHB 11 and DMHD 1, which required developments to be in keeping with the area.

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