Agenda item

48 Murray Road, Northwood - 9357/APP/2020/2502

Demolition of the existing bungalow and the erection of four two-storey detached dwellings with habitable roof space with parking, amenity, cycle provision, refuse and external landscaping and associated works.

 

Recommendation: Approval

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, subject to an additional condition.

Minutes:

Demolition of the existing bungalow and the erection of four two-storey detached dwellings with habitable roof space with parking, amenity, cycle provision, refuse and external landscaping and associated works.

 

Councillor Carol Melvin declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item and left the meeting during the discussion of this item.

 

Officers introduced the application and noted the addendum.

 

A petition was received in objection to the application, and the petitioners submitted a written representation which stated that the application showed no significant changes to the original development, and remained an overdevelopment of the site. Members heard that the site was not suitable for four large houses, and would result in a loss of amenity for surrounding dwellings. The petitioners noted that emergency vehicles would struggle to access the site, and the refuse and recycling arrangements were not acceptable and would lead to bin bags and spillages being left on Lingfield Close. The Committee was urged to reject the application.

 

A writer representation was received by the agent, who stated that comments in pre-application discussions from neighbouring properties had been taken into account, and the proposals revised to ensure the design, scale, layout and separation distances within the site all comply with the Council’s policies and guidance. The agent noted that the application had been revised to overcome previous reasons for refusal, and Members heard that there were no concerns from the Council’s Landscape Officer or Highways Engineer. The agent stated that the application delivered high quality family-sized homes with amenity for the local area, and requested the Council approve the application.

 

Councillor Richard Lewis, Ward Councillor for Northwood, submitted a written representation on behalf of himself and Councillor Scott Seaman-Digby Collins in objection to the application. Councillor Lewis noted that the application showed no marked changes from the previous application, and the minimal changes that have been made do not mitigate or minimise the issues that resulted in the previous refusal. Members were informed that the application was an overdevelopment of the site, with a major impact on surrounding properties and the street scene, which required the removal of numerous trees and shrubs and resulted in a loss of privacy for all neighbours. Councillor Lewis also expressed concern regarding the transporting and leaving of refuse and recycling in Lingfield Close, and noted that these arrangements were unacceptable.

 

The Head of Planning, Regeneration and Transportation commented that if the Committee had concerns regarding refuse disposal, the Committee could seek to withdraw permitted development rights to ensure the occupiers of future dwelling houses could not convert them to HMOs without planning permission.

 

The Committee discussed whether there were significant changes between this application and the previous application that was rejected, and noted that the application still sought four detached, three-storey dwellings that could be considered an overdevelopment.

 

Responding to Councillors’ questioning, officers clarified that the road was sufficient for emergency vehicle access, and noted that residents should not have issues with the refuse collection, as distances for carrying refuse were within policy.

 

Members noted that the report was robust and it may be difficult to refuse the application, although recognised there were concerns regarding the overdevelopment of the site.

 

The officer’s recommendation, subject to the additional condition, was moved and seconded. Upon being put to a vote, the motion was moved with five votes in favour, and two votes against.

 

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, subject to an additional condition to remove permitted development rights to ensure occupiers of future dwelling houses could not convert them to HMOs without planning permission.

Supporting documents: