Issue - meetings

(No declarations of interest were received.)

1.            The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 20/01193/HOUSE in respect of a two storey rear extension and external alterations to existing dwelling, following demolition of existing outbuildings (resubmission of application 19/02505/HOUSE).

2.            In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Callan Powers (Fowler Architecture & Planning Ltd), agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.            Simon Till introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal unsatisfactory and a conditional approval was not justifiable. Officers recommended the Committee refuse planning permission.

Removal of speaking rights

4.            As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision had been made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

5.            In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions had been received from the agent.

6.            Written submissions were read out by the Clerk to the Committee:

Agent Representation

The written submission of Fowler Architecture & Planning Ltd was read out as follows:

This application seeks planning permission for an extension to a two storey detached house, White Lodge. While the Applicants understand the reasoning, it is regrettable that no site visit has been made to inform your consideration of this application. Had a site visit been conducted, you would see that White Lodge occupies a position that is unusually obscured, with limited visibility from public vantage points to the east, screened views from the north and west, and effectively none from the south. The proposed extension, to be situated to the rear of the existing house, makes use of this position, the result being that the extension would have little visual impact on a house with no particular prominence.

Planning permission was granted at the site for an extension of a similar shape in 2017, this has now lapsed. The previous permission, secured by a previous owner, permitted an extension that would not provide a significant uplift in residential amenity for occupants.

The current Applicants, who intend to occupy White Lodge themselves for the foreseeable future, made an application for a larger extension last year, however that was withdrawn.

This application is significantly amended. The proposed roof height was lowered to sit below that of the existing, the integral garage removed, and the overall visual spread reduced. These are significant compromises made by the Applicants that result in a holistic proposal, contrasting favourably a contemporary approach with the more utilitarian original house.

White Lodge was not considered by the Conservation Officer to be a non-designated heritage asset in either the application for the previous approval or the withdrawn scheme. We do not consider it a non-designated heritage asset, and its low-key construction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14