Agenda item

Change of use of land to side of dwelling to private garden area including erection of single-storey extension to side and rear of dwelling and detached garage and shed within extended garden area.

The Planning Officer, Lisa Morina, gave a detailed presentation on the report relating to the abovementioned planning application, a copy of which had been circulated (for copy see file of minutes).  Members noted that the written report was supplemented by a visual presentation which included photographs of the site.  The Planning Officer advised that Members of the Committee had visited the site and were familiar with the location and setting.  The application was for change of use of land to side of dwelling to private garden area including erection of single-storey extension to side and rear of dwelling and detached garage and shed within extended garden area and was recommended for approval, subject to conditions as set out within the report.

The Planning Officer noted the application site itself was not an area of high landscape value or greenbelt land, though there was such an area opposite the site.  Members noted that the proposals were for a wraparound extension and a rear garage with driveway.  It was added the extended garden area was set back from the boundary as the area adjacent to the road was adopted highways. 

The Planning Officer noted no objections from the statutory or internal consultees, with one objection from the neighbouring property being in relation to fencing being placed on top of an existing wall, thought it was explained that this would not be the case.  She added the Local Member had been in objection when initially it was thought the application encroached into the greenbelt, however, it was reiterated the application was not within the greenbelt area.

The Planning Officer noted the application was recommended for approval, subject to an update to Condition 2 within the report to reflect and amended plan containing detail as regards the garage door and updates in terms of a raft being upgraded to piles and an amended Condition 4 having been agreed with the applicant.

The Chairman thanked the Planning Officer and asked the Solicitor – Planning and Development to provide an update to the Committee.

The Solicitor – Planning and Development noted that initially the application had been referred to Committee by a Local Member, Councillor M Wilkes.  He added that he had been in correspondence with Councillor M Wilkes late yesterday and prior to the Committee meeting today in terms of the Local Member feeling the reasons for calling the application in to Committee were no longer sufficient to sustain a refusal reason.  The Solicitor – Planning and Development noted that his advice had been that Officers had correctly accepted referral to Committee and once accepted it was not possible for the matter to be considered under delegated authority.  He added there was no mechanism for withdrawal of a  referral once accepted and therefore the application was properly before Members   for consideration.

The Chairman asked Members of the Committee for their comments and questions.

Councillor J Clark noted there was no mention of a Construction Management Plan (CMP) within the report, with the close proximity to the roundabout and the need for construction vehicles to turn.  The Principal Planning Officer noted that for household scale development a CMP would not normally be requested, though if Members were minded and felt it would be useful the points raised could be included.  Councillor J Clark noted she felt that this would be useful for to allay neighbours’ concerns.

Councillor P Jopling moved the recommendation, subject to the inclusion of a condition relating to a CMP as mentioned by Councillor J Clark.  Councillor O Temple seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions detailed in the Officer’s report to the Committee and an additional condition relating to a Construction Management Plan.