Decision details

The Committee considered an application for the conversion of a two-bedroom upper floor flat to 2 one-bedroom flats, including the insertion of a new first floor door in the rear elevation and the implementation of a dormer window previously approved.

Councillor Boote, Ward Councillor, spoke in objection to the application raising a number of concerns which included the impact on the local area character, over development, impact on parking and lack of amenity space, arguing that the proposal was cramped and contrived.  The Officer noted that the proposed dwelling would not be family accommodation and referred to the provisions in the Borough’s Supplementary Planning Document Outlook, Amenity, Privacy & Daylight (2008) which stated that dwellings designed not to be used for family accommodation did not require a specific area for residential amenity space.

The Officer advised that there would be no increase in overlooking towards the rear garden of house no.15 or the side access of house no.2.  The proposed dormer window would be the same as that approved as part of PLAN/2017/0727 and it was therefore not considered that it would create unacceptable overlooking.  The enlarged side window would be at ground floor level and again Officers did not feel that it would lead to unacceptable overlooking.

Parking provision was discussed and the Officer explained that the Council's Parking Standards provided that one bedroom flats should have a minimum of 0.5 car spaces per flat.  The proposed parking provision in the application would be compatible with the guidelines.

Following the discussion, Councillor Boote proposed and Councillor Aziz seconded a motion to refuse the application on the grounds  that it would result in over development and overlooking and was a cramped and contrived proposal.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the Chairman deemed that a vote should be taken on the motion above. The votes for and against refusal of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                      CouncillorsS Ashall, T Aziz, A Boote, G Chrystie, I Eastwood and M Whitehand,

                                      Total in favour: 6

Against:                         None

Present not voting:        Councillors G Cundy (Chairman), N Martin and L Morales.

                                      Total present not voting: 3

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in these minutes.