Agenda item

(NOTE 1: In accordance with the procedure for public speaking at Planning Committee, Mr Nuweed Razaq attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the application and Mr Toby Hoyle spoke in support.]

[NOTE 2: The Planning Officer advised the Committee that one additional letter of objection had been received which mainly reiterated the comments already summarised within the representations section of the report.]

[NOTE 3: The Committee were advised of an amendment to Condition 4 as detailed below;

Notwithstanding any details shown on the approved plans listed within condition 02, prior to commencement of the development hereby approved, a hard and soft landscaping scheme showing details of shrubs, trees and hedges to be planted and details of materials for areas of hardstanding, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out and thereafter retained in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise first agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. All landscaping shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme in the first planting season (November-March) following the occupation of the buildings or the completion of the development (in that phase) whichever is the sooner and maintained thereafter. Any retained or newly planted  trees, shrubs or hedges  which die, become seriously damaged or diseased or are removed or destroyed  within a period of 5 years from the date of planting shall be replaced during the next planting season with specimens of the same size and species unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the locality in accordance with Policies CS21 and CS24 of the Woking Core Strategy 2012.]

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of an existing two storey retail building and ancillary buildings (A1) and the erection of a two storey building comprising seven self contained flats (C3) (three one-bedroom and four two-bedroom) with ancillary facilities and new vehicular access. The proposed flats would have vehicular access from Royal Oak Road and pedestrian access from Triggs Lane.   

Councillor Mrs H Addison, Ward Councillor, had called the application to the Planning Committee for consideration due to concerns including over-development of the site, mass, bulk and scale and parking close to the Triggs Lane junction. Councillor Mrs H Addison spoke in objection to the application and in addition to the above, also raised concerns over reduction of light and overshadowing of neighbouring properties.

Some Members of the Committee were supportive of the concerns raised by Councillor Mrs H Addison, particularly with the issues around parking which they thought would exacerbate existing problems on Royal Oak Road and Triggs Lane. It was noted that the provision of parking for the application was in line with the Council’s current Parking Policy. Following a query, the Planning Officer confirmed that Condition 10 addressed concerns regarding visibility at the junction due to the parking.

Other Members of the Committee thought that the proposal represented an acceptable development and was in keeping with the surrounding area, which it was noted included other flats in close proximity.

Following a concern which had been raised by the public speaker, the Committee asked for clarification on whether any of the garden area of number 1 Royal Oak Road would be used as part of the proposed application. The Planning Officer confirmed that the application did not propose any change to the boundary line, although it was noted this could have occurred prior to submission.

Councillor D Harlow proposed and it was duly seconded that the application be refused on the grounds that the proposed development would, by reason of its excessive size, mass and bulk, represent an unacceptable form of development which would represent an insensitive addition to the street scene, adversely affecting the character and appearance of the area contrary to Policy CS21 of the Woking Core Strategy 2012.

In accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the Chairman deemed that a division should be taken on the motion above.  The votes for and against refusal of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                           Cllrs A Azad, D Harlow, C Rana and Cllr M A Whitehand.

                                 TOTAL:  4

Against:                              Cllrs A J Boote, I Eastwood and L M N Morales

                                 TOTAL:  3

Present but not voting:      Cllrs G G Chrystie (Chairman)

                                 TOTAL:  1

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

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