Agenda item

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

This application had been deferred by the Committee at its meeting on 28 July 2021 pending a site visit which had taken place on 16 August 2021.  The full Committee report was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Following the Officers’ presentation of the application, an objector, Mr Windsor addressed the Committee.

During the discussion that ensued Members raised concerns regarding the proposal including changes to the fenestration, parking provision, the staircase into the cellar, the steel door into the cellar, brick work relating to the car port, the reasons behind removal of the roof and the proposed windows.  In response to a number of questions the following information was provided by Officers:

·                 The proposed development did not result in an increase in demand for parking which would be material to the application. 

·                 Sub-division of the site was not part of the application before the Committee;

·                 The property currently had provision for two parking spaces which was a shortfall to that required in accordance with the Council’s policy, however Member were informed that it was not possible to enforce creation of an additional space;

·                 In respect of the structure, no objections had been received and Members were informed structural matters would be down to building regulations.  A condition requiring submission of a structural report could be imposed should Members be mindful to grant permission.

·                 No objections to the proposed steel door and stairway to the cellar had been received from either Historic England or the Conservation Officer.  A condition requiring additional details / alternative materials could be imposed if Members were mindful to grant permission.

The Chairman moved the Officers recommendation of approval.  This was not supported.

Councillor Mrs J C Stilts proposed refusal for reasons relating to the harm being done to the building, that going through the cellar outweighed the good of the work that would be done to the rest of the building.  In response to a request for a further reason, she amended her proposal adding the extensive and unnecessary works to the fabric and structure of the building which undermined the historical nature.  The amended proposal was duly seconded.

The Chairman advised Members of those who, having attended the site visit, were able to vote in respect of this application.  As a point of clarification, the Lead Specialist Place explained that in accordance with the Council’s procedures the site visit was delivered through deferral from the Area Planning Committee and therefore became part of the formal Committee.  If a Member was not present for the entirety of the site visit, then they would not be able to vote on the application.

The Chairman put the proposal in the name of Councillor Mrs Stilts to the Committee and upon a vote being taken this was agreed.

Please note: the reasons for refusal are detailed under a separate item on these Minutes, following a point of clarification raised by the Lead Specialist Place.