Agenda item

Proposed demolition of existing garage and erection of seven 2-storey terraced houses.

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding an application for the proposed demolition of existing garages and erection of seven 2-strey terraced houses (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Principal Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation of the application which included photograph of the site and a plan of the proposed layout. In addition Members had visited the site the previous day and were familiar with the site and surroundings.

Councillor T Smith, local Member, addressed the committee to object to the application. She advised at this point that she was a board member of Cestria Homes and with such declared an interest.

She advised that there was deep sense of feeling against this application in the area mainly on the grounds of parking and highway safety. The application would result in the displacement of a number of cars and vans and would ultimately cause friction in the community due to lack of parking. To highlight the parking issues within the estate she reported that to date she had spent £35,000 of her Neighbourhood Budget on creating hardstanding parking on grass verge areas.

In addition to resident’s concerns, a Mental Health Drop-in Centre was also nearby and the land proposed for development was often used by visitors to the centre.

She added that there had been a lack of consultation with residents and felt this had also negatively impacted upon residents views. She added that the site was surrounded by old people’s bungalows and vehicular access was required at all times for accessing these properties. There was concerns that the displacement of vehicles would result in emergency service vehicle access being restricted.

In conclusion she added that she would like to see a condition included in any approval requiring the creation of hardstanding areas to alleviate parking issues.

Mr G Myers, local resident, addressed the committee to object to the application and provided a number of slides highlight parking within the estate at various times throughout the day. He reiterated the objections previously raised and added that carers regularly visited properties adjacent to the site and meant that vehicles were coming and going all day. In addition the proposed site was regularly used by visitors to Mind and often used as a turning circle.

In addition he raised concerns regarding potential sink hole issues on the site and asked what assurances could be given by the developer that this would not cause wider problems.

He further commented that the development would result in overlooking into the side of his neighbours property and the proposed pathway would also impinge upon his privacy.

In conclusion he added that he was not completely opposed to the development but felt that Cestria Homes had not given sufficient consideration to the impact of the proposals or existing residents.

The Principal Planning Officer in response to comments made noted that parking problems caused by mental Health facility were an issue which would have to be taken up by them and was not a concern for Cestria Homes. In addition Highways had visited the site throughout varying times of the day to record data and therefore had based their opinion on the data recorded.

He further acknowledged that private drives at tenants properties would alleviate parking issues however this was not currently permitted by Cestria Homes.

With regard to comments made relating to overlooking he advised that pedestrians were currently able to walk across the site and it wsa considered that any overlooking would not be to a detrimental level.

Mr S Riding, Cestria Homes, addressed the committee to support the application. He advised that there was a demand in the area for this type of property. Furthermore he commented that Cestria Homes would be unable to create any hardstanding areas as this would essentially be providing private residents with parking paid for by the rent payer.

In conclusion he added that he was surprised that Councillor Smith was in attendance to object to the application given that the decision to proceed with the application had been taken at a Cestria Homes Board meeting which she had attended.

Councillor Shield added that although he had sympathy for the residents he felt there were no grounds to refuse the application. With such, he moved that the application be approved subject to the conditions as listed within the report. Councillor Cordon seconded the proposal.

Further discussion took place regarding proposed parking for the new dwellings and whether these would be designated. The Principal planning officer advised that 10 spaces within the site would be for general use replacing 12 garages. In response to a further query regarding the sink hole, he advised that the planning conditions would ensure that adequate foundations were provided and addressed during the build process.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the conditions as listed within the report.