Agenda item

Granted planning permission as recommended subject to an additional condition to restricting the parking of vehicles on the permeable area outside of the gate.

PROPOSAL: Erection of a detached two storey 3 bed dwelling house with basement level, car parking and bin stores to the front, cycle store to the rear, new timber fence and landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the draft decision notice.

Andy Bates (Area Planning Manager) informed the Committee that significant revisions had been made to the scheme including the omission of a first floor pitched roof element on the northern side, improved boundary relationship with neighbours and a reduction of the first floor projection.  The revisions ensured a good separation between the windows and the site boundary and over 20m between facing rear elevation windows. He added that in order to enhance  the soft landscaping of the site and the front elevation, a tree had been introduced to the front garden of the proposal. He continued that the application constituted an appropriate form of development in terms of scale, its contemporary design and compliance with Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 17 (SPG 17).  

Richard Bailey, Shamus O’Connell and Ian Harris (local residents) raised objections to the proposed development on grounds of loss of trees, loss of view, loss of sunlight and loss of privacy.  They continued that the proposed development, which they considered to be an over-development of the site, would not only be detrimental to residential amenities but could affect the stability of adjoining fences and also cause subsidence to neighbouring properties. The residents added that they would rather the previous application which proposed a single storey dwelling unit with reduced impact.

In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Shaw (ward member) stated that she had been approached by the local residents.  Councillor Shaw objected on the grounds of loss of light, loss of privacy and loss of view.  She continued that the proposal which would involve the loss of a sycamore tree as well as give rise to bright lights to the residents in Peter Avenue would disturb the visual coherence of the character of the area. Councillor Shaw urged members to be minded to refuse the current application and to encourage the applicant to re-submit a scheme for a single storey dwelling unit.

Mira Dimitrova (applicant) stated that the scheme which incorporated an excellent contemporary design and harmonised well with the area, would accord with guidelines and standards.  She added that the site would be landscaped to improve biodiversity.

Patrick Michell (applicant’s architect) echoed the views expressed by the applicant and added that the proposal would cause minimal loss of light and minimal impact on residential amenity.  In response to members’ questions, the architect confirmed that site investigations had been conducted and that the hard standing to the front would have an impermeable layer with concrete crossover.  He added that measures including retaining wall and land drain had been taken to ensure that water run off would be reduced.  Furthermore, by the use of blinds, curtains and opaque glass, he considered that overlooking would be significantly mitigated.  The architect also confirmed that off street parking would not be a neighbourly issue.

Whilst acknowledging the assurances on off-street parking, members felt it expedient to add a further condition to restrict the parking of vehicles on the permeable area outside of the gate

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended subject to an additional condition to restricting the parking of vehicles on the permeable area outside of the gate.