Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Conversion of existing dwelling into 3 self-contained flats with associated internal alterations and provision of front car parking, soft landscaping and bin storage.

RECOMMENDATION: To GRANT planning permission and grant delegated authority to the Head of Planning to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out in the draft decision notice.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the committee.

Chris Heather (Deputy Area Planning Manager) informed the Committee that  a total of 8 (not 81) objections had been received from 5 properties.  He clarified that the principle of use and the proposed sub-division was acceptable and that the amendments proposed as part of the application were considered relatively minor in design terms for a sufficiently high quality residential accommodation.

He added that the impact was considered not to be materially greater than the development which had planning permission and was currently under construction. He continued that the  impact on the highway was considered to be acceptable.

Pamela Surayiah (objector) circulated photographs to support her presentation and to inform members that what was being built was much larger (higher) development than that the specification granted in December 2016. She alleged that residents were not consulted about the proposal and went on to raise the following issues of concern; health and safety risk aspects of such a hugely imposing and out of character building on the corner of a major junction, where several accidents have occurred to date due to poor visibility; the development would be out of character with neighbouring residential properties in terms of its excessive scale which would result in overbearing. She requested that the Enforcement Team be asked to get involved to make sure that the building complies with the scheme granted permission in December 2016

Desal Al Hasani (applicant’s agent) informed members that an extant planning permission was granted in 2016 and that the construction of the building was substantially complete and in accordance with conditions imposed and building regulations requirements. He added that the building would remain residential with no impact on neighbouring residential properties.

In the ensuing discussions, members noted that the claim by the agent that the building was substantially complete was not backed up by photographs recently taken and submitted by the objector. Rachel Murrell (Development Management Manager) advised that members could either defer the application until the development was substantially complete and the Enforcement Team had established that the development was being carried out in accordance with the permission granted in December 2016 or to agree in principle and delegate authority to Head of Planning to grant planning permission in due course when satisfied.

DECISION: Deferred the application until the development was substantially complete and the Enforcement Team had established that the development was being carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted in December 2016.

(Voting on the above decision was unanimous).