Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

The Chairman informed Members that item number 7 on the agenda in relation to 54-64 The Broadway, Joel Street, Northwood had been withdrawn by the applicant and had, therefore, been removed from the agenda.

It was confirmed that all items would be considered in Part 1 public.

Conversion of garage to habitable use involving alterations to front elevation.

RECOMMENDATION: Approval

Application in relation to a two storey detached property located on the south western side of Larkswood Rise, a cul-de-sac. The application sought planning consent for the conversion of a garage to habitable use, involving the replacement of a garage door with a window.

Officers introduced the report and outlined details of the application. There had been two previous applications in relation to the property and it was noted that the application under consideration was solely in relation to the conversion of a garage to habitable accommodation. Any enforcement issues in relation to the current or previous applications would need to be considered separately.

The property was on the boundary of the Conservation Area. Officers considered that the proposals were of acceptable appearance and that parking provision would be adequate. The application was recommended for approval on that basis.

In accordance with the Council's constitution, a representative of the petitioners objecting the proposals addressed the meeting.

The petitioner objecting to the proposals made the following points:

·         The application under consideration was the third that had been submitted for the premises within a sixth month period and it was questioned whether there should be a limit on the number of applications that could be submitted.

·         Previous work undertaken at the property had not been in accordance with previously approved plans and retrospective applications had not been submitted to cover this. There were also concerns that future work may not keep to plan.

·         Some construction work to convert the garage to habitable accommodation had already taken place, even though the application had not yet been approved.

·         Photos provided by the petitioner did not match photos in the officer reports.

·         The appearance of the property and the conversion of a garage to accommodation space would not be in keeping with other properties in the street.

·         Construction that had taken place to date was having an adverse affect on neighbouring properties including loss of privacy, loss of light and in one case, loss of communications signals.

·         The application should be considered as part of a larger single application rather than separate applications being considered for each element of the work.

·         Work at the property should be stopped and a full assessment of its impact undertaken.

A representative of the applicant raised the following points:

·         The application under consideration was for the conversion of a garage to habitable accommodation and the replacement of the garage door with a window.

·         The garage was not large enough for a car to be parked in it and had been used for storage for the previous five years.

·         The application was considered to be in keeping with the area and would not have a detrimental effect on neighbouring properties.

·         There were currently two off road parking spaces at the property which would be retained under the proposals.

The Chairman confirmed that the Committee was required to consider the application to convert the garage to habitable living space on its merits. Any issues in relation to other applications or possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Two storey rear extension and conversion of roof space to habitable use to include 2 x rear dormers and 3 x side dormers and conversion from 6 x 3-bed flats to 7 x 2-bed and 8 x 1-bed flats.

RECOMMENDATION: Refusal

The item was withdrawn from the agenda at the request of the applicant.

Two storey side extension.

RECOMMENDATION: Refusal

Erection of a two storey side extension at a modern two-storey detached property.

Officers introduced the report and outlined details of the application. It was noted that the property was in a small residential cul-de-sac and that some redesign had taken place compared to the originally submitted plans.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being put

to vote was agreed unanimously.

Resolved - That the application be approved as per the Officer's report.