Issue - meetings

The Committee considered an application for the erection of part two storey, part single storey rear extension and conversion of existing family dwelling into two flats with associated parking and amenity space.

Councillor T Aziz, Ward Councillor, had called this before the Committee as he thought the applicant had overcome the reasons for previous refusal and he disagreed with the Planning Officers recommendation to refuse the application. Councillor T Aziz commented that the applicant had reduced the number of bedrooms in the units and that he did not think this was a loss of a family home as the replacement would be two good size units. He noted that the front of the property would remain unchanged and therefore would not affect the street scene. Councillor T Aziz commented that there were a number of examples of subdivided properties in Sheerwater. There were no issues with parking and he commented that the applicant now proposed that the units had access to the private patio area and then a 75sqm shared communal area.

The Planning Officer commented that the reason for the recommended refusal related to the overbearing nature of the application and noted that this was detrimentally worse than the previous application that the Committee refused.

Many Members were surprised that this application was back before the Committee as they thought it was contrary to so many Planning Policies and that it was significantly worse than the application that was previously refused.

Councillor T Aziz proposed, and it was duly seconded by Councillor C Rana that the application be deferred. The Development Manager, Thomas James, advised the Committee that there was no reason why deferral was necessary and confirmed that there would need to be a valid reason for doing so.

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

In favour:                           Cllrs T Aziz and C Rana.

                                 TOTAL:  2

Against:                              Cllrs A Boote, J Brown, S Dorsett, D Hughes, N Martin, L Morales (Chairman) and D Roberts.

                                 TOTAL:  7

Present but not voting:      None

                                 TOTAL:  0

The application was therefore not deferred.

Councillor T Aziz moved to refuse the application, this was not seconded.

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

In favour:                           Cllrs J Brown, S Dorsett, D Hughes, N Martin and D Roberts.

                                 TOTAL:  5

Against:                              Cllrs T Aziz and C Rana.

                                 TOTAL:  2

Present but not voting:      Cllrs A Boote and L M N Morales (Chairman)

                                 TOTAL:  2

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be REFUSED.