Agenda item

[NOTE 1: The Planning Officer advised the Committee that seven additional letters of objection had been received which mainly reiterated the comments already summarised within the representations section of the report.]

[NOTE 2: The Planning Officer advised the Committee that there had been a change to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations since the report was published and that CIL contributions would now be calculated based on the calendar year not the financial year.]

[NOTE 3: In accordance with the procedure for public speaking at Planning Committee, Mr Kieran O’Riordan attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the application and Ms Liz Alexander spoke in support.]

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a two storey building with accommodation in the roof space comprising 5 x self-contained flats (3 x two-bedroom and 2 x one-bedroom) and a ground floor unit in Use Class D1 (non-residential institution) unit and associated parking, bin and cycle storage following demolition of existing two storey building in use as an orthodontic clinic (D1 Use).

Councillor G Cundy, Ward Councillor, spoke in objection to the application and commented that it was an overdevelopment of the site. Councillor G Cundy thought that the proposed development lacked amenity space, the window separation distance was inadequate causing overlooking issues to the neighbouring property, the bulk and mass was too great for the site and it had an overbearing impact. The Ward Councillor also thought the provision of parking for a business was inadequate.

Councillor R Leach, Ward Councillor, also spoke in objection to the application and reiterated some of the points raised by Councillor G Cundy. Councillor R Leach supported the view that the height, orientation and proximity of the building was too overbearing. Councillor R Leach thought that it was out of character with the area and would be more appropriate as a three bedroom home. If the Committee was minded to approve the application he asked that consideration be given to adding a condition to ensure that any new tree screening did not encroach on the drains/sewers of Strathmore.

In response to the concerns raised by the Ward Councillors, the Planning Officer explained that this was an unusual site and did not have a conventional relationship with the neighbouring property at Strathmore. In the report the Planning Officer had explained that the oblique view from the window was considered to mitigate the potential overlooking and loss of privacy impact. Overall the orientation of Strathmore and its rear garden and the orientation of the proposed development was considered to result in an acceptable impact on the amenities of this neighbour compared to the existing situation.

Regarding the parking it was suggested that Condition 10 could be amended to show allocation of parking differentiating between residential and business spaces. This was proposed by Councillor L Lyons and seconded by Councillor G Elson; the Committee agreed that Condition 10 should be amended.

Councillor L Morales was disappointed that bicycle storage for D1 use was a combined integral bin and cycle store for use by both residents and customers. It was agreed that an informative would be added regarding a separate cycle storage for D1 use to be in a more accessible location.

Generally the Committee were supportive of the application.

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

In favour:                           Cllrs S Ashall, T Aziz,  A J Boote, S Hussain, L Lyons, N Martin and L M N Morales

                                 TOTAL:  7

Against:                              Cllr G Elson.

                                 TOTAL:  1

Present but not voting:      Cllr G Chrystie (Chairman)

                                 TOTAL:  1

The application was therefore approved.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to conditions set out in the report, the amendment to Condition 10 and additional informative as set out in the minutes and Section 106 Agreement to secure a SAMM contribution.