Agenda item

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the six conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The local Member for Llanfoist, also a Planning Committee Member, outlined the following points.

·         Concern was expressed regarding neighbour amenity, as the proposed new dwelling would be higher than other dwellings which would be located close to the new property.  As there was no plan indicated identifying the siting of the proposed dwelling in relation to the nearest neighbours, the Planning Committee was unable to see how the proposed new dwelling would sit with the existing dwellings.  There were potentially unacceptable overlooking issues. The Local Member asked that the application be deferred to be presented to the next Planning Committee meeting to allow officers to obtain a plan plotting the proposed new dwelling in relation to the existing dwellings.

·         However, if Planning Committee did not support deferral of the application, the Local Member considered that there needs to be an additional condition to the application to remove permitted development rights for roof extensions / alterations.

In noting the detail of the application the following points were identified:

·         The proposed site plan in respect of the dining room / living room area indicated French doors opening onto the garden area.  However, this was not replicated on the elevation drawing.  Therefore, if the application was approved, this detailing could be agreed via the Delegation Panel.

·         The Plan shown to the Committee was an accurate representation of where the proposed dwelling would be positioned.  It was considered that when all plans were read in conjunction, it allowed a balanced consideration of the privacy impact.

·         An additional condition to the application to remove permitted development rights for roof extensions / alterations could be considered.

·         Planning Officers had looked at the site and considered the amenity issues with a view to obtaining a balanced judgement on the impact on residential amenity to the neighbouring properties.  The submitted plans have finished floor levels and the intervening distances between the proposed dwelling and neighbouring properties has been fully considered in coming to the recommendation. 

·         There had been no objections to the proposed development by the Highways Department.

·         With regard to the differing height levels between the proposed new dwelling and the existing properties opposite, the balanced view of Planning officers was that this was acceptable.

·         The car parking spaces for the proposed new development were policy compliant securing off street parking and a turning area. This has resulted in a net gain of one additional parking space.

It was proposed by County Councillor G. Howard and seconded by County Councillor S. Woodhouse that consideration of application DM/2018/01418 be deferred to the next Planning Committee meeting to allow officers to obtain a plan plotting the proposed new dwelling in relation to the existing dwellings.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For deferral               -           6

Against deferral        -           9

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was not carried.

It was proposed by County Councillor G. Howard and seconded by County Councillor S. Woodhouse that we be minded to refuse application DM/2018/01418 on the grounds that the Planning Committee would not sufficiently be able to judge whether there would be an acceptable impact on neighbours’ amenity.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For refusal                -           3

Against refusal         -           9

Abstentions               -           1

The proposition was not carried.

It was proposed by County Councillor M. Feakins and seconded by County Councillor P. Murphy that application DM/2018/01418 be approved subject to the six conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement. Also, that an additional condition be added to remove permitted development rights for roof extensions / alterations.  The Delegation Panel to agree the revised elevation of the French doors.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

In favour of the proposition            -           8

Against the proposition                   -           2

Abstentions                                       -           1

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2018/01418 be approved subject to the six conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement. Also, that an additional condition be added to remove permitted development rights for roof extensions / alterations.  The Delegation Panel to agree the revised elevation of the French doors.