Decision details

The planning proposal was for a retrospective planning application for change of use of open amenity land to a private residential garden space and the erection of a 1.85m high fence.

Councillor Morales, Ward Councillor, commented on the application and raised concerns on the already limited open amenity space within the area which was extensively used by the resident children.  Removing the proposed area would further limit the open amenity space.  Councillor Morales was minded to support the recommendation to refuse the application on the grounds that the development represented an unacceptable impact on the character of Bullock Crescent and the wider Moor Lane development.  This was by way of the close board timber fencing having resulted in the loss of a prominent area of open amenity land which had reduced the landscape qualities, reduced the sense of openness and made the area appear overdeveloped.  The development was therefore contrary to Section 12 of the NPPF, PolicyCS21 of the Core Strategy and Woking Design SPD (2015).

In accordance with the recommendation before the them, the Members of the Committee

            RESOLVED

That (i)    retrospective planning permission be refused; and

          (ii)   the Head of Democratic and Legal Services be instructed to issue an Enforcement Notice under Section 172 of The Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) in respect of the above land requiring the remedy of the breach of planning control to be achieved through the removal of the close board timber fencing within two months of the Enforcement Notice taking effect.