Agenda item

Both planning applications were for a proposed two storey side extension at 21 Grange Road, West Town, and a ground floor rear extension. The applications also included a veranda and loft conversion including a dormer window, increasing in roof height. Application 15/00768/HHFUL proposed a 9.15 metre ridge height for the main house and an 8.85m ridge height for the side extension, and application 15/00769/HHFUL proposed a ridge height of 8.85 metres for both the main house and the side extension.

It was officer’s recommendation that planning permission 15/00768/HHFUL be refused, for the reasons set out in the report, and that planning permission 15/00769/HHFUL be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report. The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the applications and highlighted a number of key issues within the report and update sheet.

Councillor Murphy, Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Councillor Murphy believed a decision needed to be made on this, as building work had currently stopped.

·         There had been no material objections and residents were not concerned about the proposals.

·         The split roof height proposal was favoured as a flat, terraced design was not the nature of the street.

Phil Branston, Agent, and Yasir Qureshi, Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the applications and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Mr Branston advised that the applicant would like to retain an increased roof height, to keep the development in keeping with the rest of the street.

·         Mr Qureshi drew the Committee’s attention to examples of staggered roof heights within single dwellings in the surrounding area.

·         He wanted the proposal to impact positively on the area.

·         There was a dwelling, 45 Grange Road, which had a roof height the same as that proposed in 15/00758/HHFUL.

·         As the dwelling was situated with a gap between it and the neighbouring property, the effect of the proposal was not as significant.

·         The extension minimised the massing affect.

·         Mr Qureshi explained that part way through the build he had realised there was not sufficient room in the loft. After discussing his options with planning officers, he decided to take a calculated risk and raise the roof height. He appreciated that this risk was a mistake. His builders increased the roof to a greater degree than requested. As such, new builders were now being used.

The Committee discussed the applications and considered that the varied roof height, although high was not unacceptable. It was suggested that a completely flat roof would look out of place within the street and that a varied roof would add to the area.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, contrary to officer recommendation, and the Corporate Director of Growth and Regeneration be granted authority to attached appropriate conditions. This was because the application was not considered to be unacceptable, but would add to the street scene. The motion was seven voting in favour, and one voting against.

(seven voted in favour, one voted against) that panning permission is GRANTED and the Corporate Director of Growth and Regeneration be granted authority to attached appropriate conditions.

Reasons for the decision

The proposal was not considered to be unacceptable and it was believed that it would add to the character of the street scene.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, as per officer recommendation. The motion was carried unanimously.

(unanimous) that planning permission is GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Reasons for the decision

Having been assessed in light of all material considerations, including weighing against relevant policies of the development plan that the planning permission for the application was considered acceptable.