Agenda item

The report before members concerned an outline planning application for the demolition of an existing care home and the erection of four new dwellings and an access road.

Members noted that the application had been called in by Councillors Ron Ower and Roger Ramsey.

Councillor Ower requested that the application be called in to Committee, on the grounds of the planning history for the site and traffic movements. Councillor Ramsey requested that the application be called in to committee, in view of its impact on adjoining properties.

The Committee noted that a late letter of representation had been received that raised concern about the development being too near to adjourning properties.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant’s representative.

The objector commented that the scheme would set a precedent for others to follow and as such would cause harm to the local area. The objector also commented that the infill development would not produce plot sizes equivalent to surrounding properties and also added that the layout was inappropriate and the plot width of one of the dwellings did not strictly comply with Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Emerson Park Policy Area. The objector also commented on the impact of the access road on neighbour’s amenity with particular reference to number eleven Burntwood Avenue with issues arising from traffic and service vehicles.

In response, the applicant’s representative had distributed a submission that detailed the proposal within the policy context, identifying areas that had been addressed from the previous refusal such as the overlooking and justifying elements of the scheme that remained unchanged. Reference was made to the significant gaps between the proposed and existing properties.

With its agreement Councillor Roger Ramsey addressed the Committee.

Councillor Ramsey commented that he had concerns regarding the application in view of its impact on adjoining properties and density. Councillor Ramsey also raised concern concerning the disturbance to amenity caused by the relationship of the access road to neighbour’s houses.

During the debate members raised concerns regarding the application  including the possibility of the development being a back garden development that would harm the character of Emerson Park area.

Members also received clarification regarding boundary distances and the Fire Services’ comments regarding the application.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted, however following a motion to refuse planning permission which was carried by 10 votes to 0 with 1 abstention.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be refused on the grounds that the layout of the plot and penetration of the built form would have on the rear open area. The development was out of keeping with and harmful to the character of the Emerson Park area. The physical plot width of the left hand frontage of the house failed to comply with the twenty three metres minimum plot width requirements, thereby harming the streetscene.

There would be noise, disturbance and harm to local amenity caused by the relationship of the access road to neighbouring properties.

The vote for the resolution to refuse planning permission was carried by 10 votes to 0 with 1 abstention.

Councillor Phil Martin abstained from voting.