Agenda item

Application for determination:-

Erection of a 3 bedroom dwelling to the side of 95 Grange Road with parking to the front for both properties.

The Principal Planning Officer presented her report which detailed an application for the erection of a three bedroom dwelling to the side of 95, Grange Road with parking to the front for both properties.

She referred to the late material which contained legal advice which recommended the imposition of a condition requiring a method statement for the removal/eradication of Japanese Knotweed from the site and that agreed works are thereafter undertaken, together with an additional representation and a revised Officer recommendation.

Mr Hancock of 93, Grange Road addressed the Committee in opposition to the application.

Mr Hancock believed that the site was too small to accommodate the proposed dwelling and the application represented overdevelopment. He expressed concerns including the following:-

·         Services run under the driveway

·         Will the bathroom of No.95 be replaced

·         Construction access limited

·         Impact on light and views, particularly from the kitchen of No.93

·         Highways not aware of site conditions

·         Not possible to park three cars as shown in plans

·         Will affect the visibility of and safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists

In conclusion, he requested that Members defer the application to visit the site as he believed the plans were misleading.

Simon Littlewood, agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Mr Littlewood stated that the proposal was in a sustainable location and contributed to the townscape. He believed that the future occupiers would make use of local facilities and sustainable transport.

He noted that it was an infill site which would contribute to the streetscene and stated the high quality build would not detract from the streetscene.

A Member expressed concern that the frontage sloped down to the road and occupiers would have to reverse motor cars in or out of the site while the present layout allowed vehicles to turn around off the highway.

Another Member noted that the width of the site indicated on the plans was similar to No.95 but that was a semi-detached property. He expressed surprise that the Highway Authority were satisfied with the proposals.

He noted that five metres was allowed for two cars and he had measured spaces at a local supermarket which were 2.4 metres wide and believed that drivers of average sized motor cars would experience some difficulty. He noted that the proposal was for a three bedroom dwelling which had the potential for four adult occupants likely to have four motor cars.

He stated that Grange Road was a busy highway and there had been a number of complaints of speeding to the police.

He believed that the proposal was over-development and should the Committee be minded to grant consent he urged them to make a site visit.

The Principal Planning Officer noted that it was not possible to turn a vehicle on the site at the present time like most of the properties in the locality where it was necessary to either reverse onto or off the road. She accepted that this was a fairly small site and considered that the proposal was acceptable as there was so much variety in the house designs and character and appearance of the immediate area.

A Member questioned the parking on the footpath shown in the photographs and the Principal Planning Officer advised that should such parking cause obstruction it would be a matter for the Police. She reminded Members that the Highway Authority’s advice was that the parking arrangements were acceptable and the dropped kerb across the three new spaces would reduce parking on the road.

RESOLVED that the Head of Planning be authorised to grant permission subject to appropriate conditions including those to address matters detailed in the recommendation in the late material and no new material planning considerations being raised during the remaining public consultation period.