Issue - meetings

Granted planning permission subject to:

(1)  The conditions and informatives, as detailed in the main and updated within the supplementary committee report.

PROPOSAL

Demolition of existing garages and proposed erection of a two-storey building withbasement level to provide 2 residential dwellings with front lightwells, associated private amenity space, boundary treatment, cycle and refuse storage.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)      The conditions and informatives, as detailed in main and updated within the supplementary committee report.

Mahya Fatemi (Career Grade Planning Officer) introduced the report, advising members that the application sought full planning permission for the demolition of existing garages and proposed erection of two storey building with basement level to provide 2 homes, each with two bedrooms, with front lightwells, associated private amenity space, boundary treatment, cycle and refuse storage. Attention was also drawn to the supplementary report circulated in advance of the meeting, which noted the revised plans received in response to updated information relating to the recently constructed outbuilding at No. 64 Olive Road. It was also noted that the submitted existing and proposed drawings had been amended to accurately reflect this development. Moreover, as part of Part A of Condition 11 (wildlife and nesting features), members heard that the wording of the condition had been updated to provide more site-specific requirements, in line with the Council’s Ecology Officer’s advice. The recommendation remained to grant planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out within the main and updated within the supplementary committee report.

The Chair thanked Mahya Fatemi for introducing the report. As there were no Committee questions raised at this point, the Chair then moved on to consider a request which had been received to speak on the application and invited Adrian Boylan (who had registered to speak as an objector) to address the Committee in relation to the application, who highlighted the following points:

• Adrian Boylan began by noting that his property overlooked the application site and stated that he had not been included in the list of consultees when the proposals were initially announced. He confirmed that he had become aware of the application through word of mouth.

• It was noted that 16 objections to the proposal had been received, including objections submitted by both local ward councillors.

• Members were advised that the proposal involved the replacement of four structures described as garages but contended that these were not used as garages and were instead utilised for commercial storage purposes by the owners.

• Adrian Boylan expressed the view that development within rear garden land should generally be discouraged. He clarified that his objection was not to the principle of development on the site, provided that the existing green space was preserved, but rather to the form and design of the proposed development. It was considered that the introduction of new buildings within a street characterised by 1920s semi-detached properties would be out of keeping with the established appearance of the area.

• As further observations it was highlighted that properties on Wren Avenue typically featured open front gardens, whereas the proposal included a front wall of approximately  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5