Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing houses and erection of a part two, part three storey building with rooms in the roof and basement providing 20 flats. Basement parking for cars and cycles. Bins stores and associated hard and soft landscaping including new boundary walls and railings.

Description

Demolition of existing houses and erection of a part two, part three storey building with rooms in the roof and basement providing 20 flats. Basement parking for cars and cycles. Bins stores and associated hard and soft landscaping including new boundary walls and railings.

Decision

The Committee noted a presentation from the Planning Officer.

The Committee was addressed by Ward Councillor, Liz Frost who spoke in objection to the Application. The Committee also heard from an objector and the Applicant.

The following points were raised by the Committee:

Housing density:Members noted concerns regarding the high density of the proposed residential development and the impact that it would have upon the character of the area.

Parking facilities:Members noted the number of proposed parking spaces for the residential units, and raised concerns regarding the impact this may have on the local area.

Affordable housing: Members noted the shortage of housing within the Borough and how the proposed development would be of benefit in fulfilling need. Members also noted the number of units being offered as affordable housing.

Councillor Neil Dallen proposed a refusal. This was seconded by Councillor Steven McCormick. The reason for this refusal was based on concerns raised by the Committee. These included:

·                     The proposed development by reason of its density, scale, massing, and bulk and detail gives rise to an unacceptably cramped and over-developed layout, leading to an overbearing relationship with the adjacent properties and the local street scene, contrary to the established character of the local area. The benefits of the development would be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harm when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole. The proposal is contrary to the NPPF, Policy DM9, DM10 and DM11 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015 and CS5 of the Core Strategy 2007.

·                     The proposed development would not meet the parking standards as set out in Policy DM37 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015 resulting in harm on the amenities of surrounding residential occupiers' in terms of streetscene and availability of on-street parking. It would fail to comply with Policy CS16 of the Core Strategy 2007 and paragraph 102(e) of the NPPF 2019.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved with 8 Members voting for, 4 Members voting against and the Chairman not voting that:

The Application be REFUSED.

Demolition of existing houses and erection of a part two, part three storey building with rooms in the roof and basement providing 20 flats. Basement parking for cars and cycles. Bins stores and associated hard and soft landscaping including new boundary walls and railings.

The Committee was informed that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda for the meeting at the request of Officers, to allow for additional consultation to take place.