Agenda item

To consider the planning application and recommendations of the Interim Head of Planning Services (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officer’s presentation of the report, Mrs Bowyer, the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

The Chairman, a Ward Member, advised Members that he had called this application in.  He was of the opinion that it should be approved due to the special circumstances of the Applicant’s family which he understood to be a material consideration.  The Chairman then proposed that this application be approved contrary to the Officers’ recommendation.

Members considered that the proposed front elevation was an improvement to the existing elevation and would not be detrimental to the street scene.  The houses on Goldhanger Road were set well back from the road and many of them had installed porches etc. and any impact from the proposed extension would be minimal.

The Group Manager for Planning Services advised Members that the reasons for refusal should be considered in relation to the impact on the character of the area and the design.  If Members were minded to approve this application, then design could be used as a reason for the overturn.

The Group Manager for Planning Services then provided some clarity on what was meant by special circumstances.  The circumstances must be very special circumstances and there was case law that supported this.  Although the Applicant had provided a letter giving reasons why the front extension was also needed, the letter was lacking in detail.  Members were reminded that they must determine the application in front of them.  If a future application was submitted which gave more detail as to the special circumstances, then it may be considered differently by Officers.

Councillor Miss M R Lewis reiterated her earlier non-pecuniary interest and advised that the family wanted this to be a forever home.  As their child with special needs continues to grow, handling was becoming more challenging which was why installation of a lift was needed along with additional storage space for the growing amount of specialist equipment.    Members were of the opinion that young families should be encouraged to remain in the district and that the application was genuine, supported by the Applicant’s presence at the meeting. 

The proposal to approve this application was then duly seconded and, upon a vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

1                    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

2                    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with approved drawings:

3                    No development shall take place until written details or samples of all materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The development shall be carried out using the materials and details as approved.