Agenda item

Three storey building comprising of 7 x 2-bed and 2 x 1-bed flats with associated parking, cycle and amenity space, involving demolition of existing detached dwelling.

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application was approved subject to conditions.

Officers introduced the report and highlighted the addendum. The application sought to erect a 3-storey building to provide 9 self-contained units. The addendum noted that no. 66 Long Lane had been re-developed to provide 7 flats which were still unoccupied. However, it was confirmed that the proposal would continue to meet the 10% threshold test. It was also noted that officers did not consider that the proposal would result in overshadowing or harm to the occupiers of no. 90 Long Lane.

A representative of the petitioners spoke in objection to the application. It was stated that the proposed development was in a conservation area and it was therefore felt that the character of the existing dwellings should be maintained. Petitioners believed that approval of the plans would set a precedent for flats to be built in the area; possibly with less sympathetic designs than that proposed. It was felt that the open gardens in the area should be preserved. With regards to footprint and over-development within the conservation area, petitioners were of the opinion that a footprint of 3 times the size of the current house was inappropriate and unacceptable. It was stated that the proposed development would increase traffic flow in an overcrowded road and only one parking space per flat had been allocated which would not be sufficient. Reference was made to a similar development in Swakeleys Road and it was claimed that resultant parking issues had caused disputes and discontent in the area.

Members questioned whether there were any other similar developments already in existence in Long Lane and were informed that the petitioner was unaware of any; with the exception of the development at no. 66 already referred to by officers.

The applicant addressed the Committee stating that the depth of the building was acceptable as the existing building was disproportionately small in relation to the size of the plot. It was confirmed that the new build would be only 1m wider than the existing building and there would be no overlooking issues; therefore no objections had been raised by the neighbour. Members were reminded that the development would not breach the 10% threshold and had to be considered on its own merits. The applicant claimed that reference to an appeal decision bore no similarity to the development in question as it was for a much larger care-home scheme. Members were advised that pre-application advice had been sought and plans revised accordingly as required. It was stated that the design was in keeping with other mock Tudor style buildings and the mature trees were being protected to ensure the increased depth would be barely visible from the road. If agreed, the flats would be included in the Government's help-to-buy scheme thereby helping first time buyers and adding desirable housing stock to the area.

Councillors sought clarification regarding the mature tree to the front of the house. Officers confirmed that the tree was a TPO tree and the building was set back so there would be no impact on it. Plans had been revised previously to ensure that another Beech tree in the grounds of Douay Martyrs School was not adversely affected by the proposed building work. With reference to the depth of the development, it was confirmed that the footprint would still be smaller than no. 90 so was not a concern.

Members moved, seconded and unanimously voted to approve the application.

RESOLVED: That the application was approved.