Agenda item

Two detached residential dwellings (Revised and resubmitted), (Amended plans showing revised parking and access arrangements received 14 May 2012).

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding two proposed detached residential dwellings on land at the corner of Waltons Terrace and The Bungalows, New Brancepeth, Durham (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Principal Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included photographs of the site.  Members had visited the site that day and were familiar with the location and setting.

Councillor Wilkinson, local Member, informed the Committee that local residents of New Brancepeth and Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council had expressed concerns about the proposed development.  The proposed residential dwellings would be 2-2½ storey’s in height which would be over-bearing in such a small area and would have a detrimental effect on the amenity of other properties.  Although he understood that currently the car parking which took place on the land was by goodwill, if the application was approved then the displaced cars would need to park on a narrow road which was a route to a school.

Councillor Blakey expressed concerns that any displaced parking would result in on-road parking to the front of Waltons Terrace, which was a main bus route.  Councillor Charlton recommended refusal of the application on the grounds that displaced parking would increase danger on the access road to the school, which was very narrow and that the area was not suitable for development.

Resolved:

That the application be refused on the grounds that displaced parking would increase danger on the access road to the school and that the area was not suitable for development.  The proposed development would also be overbearing to and would overshadow the residential amenity of Rock Terrace and Waltons Terrace as the site was at a higher level than adjacent properties.