Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Chairman addressed the public participation submission received from the Applicant, Mrs Krysta Collin. He then moved the recommendation as set out in the Officer’s report and this was not seconded.

Councillor Fluker opened the discussion by referring to Policy 5.28 of the Local Development Plan (LDP) in that the application was to adapt the existing building stock to meet the needs of a growing family. He noted that it was a very wide plot that could accommodate the changes, the design was in keeping with the location, the principle of development accorded with the LDP and there had been no objections from neighbours. He proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Stamp.

The Lead Specialist Place referring to the LDP advised Members that the policy did not object to extending the dwelling, however the design was an issue, doubling the size of the building. He reminded Members that personal circumstances would have to be very special to be taken into consideration and that these were not in that category and should not be a consideration above planning policies. He concluded by saying that this approach had been found unlawful in previous cases.

Councillor Fluker in response said that whilst he agreed with Mr Leigh’s comments, he noted that the Conservation Officer at paragraph 7.2 of the report, had no problem with the design, from a subjective point of view it worked, and he stood by his proposal to approve.

The Lead Specialist: Development Management expressed concerns regarding the  proximity of the external wall to the boundary of the neighbouring property to the east, the bulk and scale of the design and the fact that previous schemes had been refused for these reasons.

The Chairman addressing Councillor Fluker’s proposal asked for reasons for approval. Councillor Fluker said the development accorded with policy D1 of the LDP and the  design, scale and bulk were acceptable to the location. The Lead Specialist Place said that conditions would include time, plans and materials. The Lead Specialist: Development Management then suggested the removal of permitted development rights on the flank elevation to ensure no perception of overlooking.

The Chairman put the proposal to approve the application, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, to the committee and upon a vote being taken it was approved.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to conditions delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairman 

Councillor Fluker left the meeting for this item of business.