Agenda item

Details pursuant to discharge conditions Nos. 6 (Levels) 7 (Site Clearance) 8 (Landscape Scheme) and 10 (Sustainable Water Management) of planning permission Ref: 17990/APP/2015/645 dated 24/04/2015 (Part two storey, part  first floor rear extension, construction of basement, conversion of garage to habitable use, conversion of roofspace to habitable use to include 2 rear rooflights, alterations to front elevation and demolition of existing rear element).

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved.

Details pursuant to discharge conditions Nos. 6 (Levels), 7 (Site Clearance), 8 (Landscape Scheme) and 10 (Sustainable Water Management) of planning permission ref: 17990/APP/2015/645 dated 24/05/2015 (part two-storey, part first-floor rear extension, construction of basement, conversion of garage to habitable use, conversion of roofspace to habitable use to include two rear rooflights, alterations to front elevation and demolition of existing rear element.

Officers introduced the application, which related to the discharge of conditions of a previously approved planning application, and highlighted the addendum, which included the proposed deletion and replacement of an informative, additional comments from the Council’s Trees and Landscape Officer, and the addition of a further informative.

A petitioner spoke in objection to the application on behalf of Gatehill Residents’ Association (GRA). The petitioner commented that there were issues surrounding drainage, the protection and proposed removal of trees, the timber panel fence on the boundary with No. 49, the drainage of the proposed swimming pool, pipe damage and the lack of an asbestos survey. Members heard that the GRA believed that there were inconsistencies and inaccuracies within the officer’s report, and concerns over how the property could be built safely and maintained.

The agent for the applicant addressed the Committee, and noted that the main issues surrounding the application involved the basement and land ownership. The agent commented that the flood risk was deemed acceptable by the Council’s officer, and there were no works proposed to the frontage, with the fence being retained. Councillors were informed that this application did not seek permission to remove trees to the rear of the building, and the removal of a tree on the southern boundary could be discussed further and potentially removed from the application if Members wished. The agent confirmed that planning permission was granted for the application in 2015, and expires this month, and the applicant was ready to begin building the property.

Responding to queries from the Committee, the Head of Planning and Enforcement confirmed that between the officer’s report and addendum, any questions regarding the application should be answered.

Responding to the agent’s comments regarding tree removal, Members expressed their support for the retention of the tree on the southern boundary, if possible. The Committee expressed their support to delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Enforcement to clarify with the applicant and agent which trees on the site could be retained, and then consult with the Council’s Arboriculturalist to agree any proposals on tree retention.

The Committee was informed by the Planning Team Manager that the Flood Water Management Officer has reviewed the plans and considered them acceptable.

The Head of Planning and Enforcement also noted that the addendum proposed to delete an informative and replace it with another informative. It was proposed that both these informatives were retained if Members approved the application, in addition to the further informative that was proposed in the addendum.

Members proposed and seconded the application, subject to the additional informatives and delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Enforcement to further discuss the proposals regarding tree removal. Upon being put to a vote, six Members voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation, with two Councillors abstaining.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, subject to additional informatives and delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Enforcement for further discussion with the applicant regarding the retention and removal of trees.