Agenda item

Councillor Serluca retired from the Committee.

The planning application was for a proposed two storey side and single storey rear extension at 33 The Orchards, Orton Waterville.

The main considerations were:

·         The design of the extensions and their impact on the visual appearance and character of the area.

·         The impact of the proposals upon the amenity of neighbouring / nearby residents.

It was officer’s recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the application and raised the following key points:

·         The first floor extension was only above the garage and no further.

·         It was not considered that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the neighbours, nor would it be overbearing.

·         The separation distance between the proposed development and the neighbouring property increased further into the site due to the layout of the plots. At its largest the distance between the two properties would be approximately three metres.

The Committee discussed the application and several Members commented that the proposals were too large and would have an overbearing impact on the neighbouring property. The possibility of ensuring the first floor window was obscure glazed and non-opening was discussed, to mitigate concerns regarding loss of privacy.

It was clarified that permitted development rights allowed extensions of up to four metres at ground floor level. The proposal for the most part projected 4.3 meters from the rear wall however did extent to 6.28 metres at its longest.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be refused, contrary to officer recommendation because of the overbearing impact of the proposal and the loss of privacy. Four voted in favour, four voted against and two abstained from voting. The Chair used his casting vote against the motion, as such the motion fell.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, as per officer recommendation, with the inclusion of a condition that the first floor rear window be obscure glazing and non-opening. The motion was carried six voting in favour, one voting against and two abstentions.

(six voted in favour, one voted against, two abstained from voting) that planning permission is GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the reports and an additional condition that the first floor rear window be obscure glazing and non-opening.

Reasons for the decision

The proposal had been considered against the relevant development plan policies namely policies PP2 and PP3 of the Planning Policies DPD.  It was considered that these policies were in accordance with the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework and as such there were no other material considerations to take into account.  The views of the neighbours had been taken into account.  The original proposal had been amended and it was considered that the revised scheme would not have any significant impact upon any neighbouring or nearby resident.  The proposal was also acceptable in terms of design.  The application was accordingly recommended for approval subject to conditions.