Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Baker and Councillor Wheeler.

There were none.

Councillor Bamford visited 6a.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th September 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September were approved and signed as a correct record.

There were none.

Planning application documents

The planning officer introduced the report as published.

There were three public speakers on the item; the objector, the applicant and a Ward Member.

The public speaker in objection addressed the committee and made the following points:

-       Due to the topography of the hill, 187 sits on a higher elevation than properties to the south and the proposed extension will be to the detriment of their outlook of the Leckhampton hills.

-       A former occupant of 187 had widened the garage to the boundary line with 185, raised the floor level of the back of the house and built a new utility room.  The additional proposed changes will in essence create an overbearing 1.5 storey extension on the boundary line.

-       Concerns had been discussed with the applicants but suggested changes had not been accepted despite the impact on the neighbours, and concessions made on subsequent applications have not addressed the main objections to the application.

-       Additional concerns have been raised by 189 due to the raised patio and rear windows allowing their property and children’s bedrooms to be overlooked.

-       An extension at 189 was set back twice with returns to achieve a level of subservience and a similar consideration should be given to the current application.

-       Permitting the application may set a precedent with neighbours on the road receiving approval for similar builds which will be detrimental to the community and damage the character and appearance of the area which sits close to a conservation area and an area of outstanding beauty.

The applicant addressed the committee and made the following points:

-       Submitted the application to make a sustainable and eco-friendly modern home whilst maintaining the house’s character and improving the connection between the home and garden.

-       Have done their best to follow the planning process to the letter and have made significant voluntary compromises during the submission of 2 sets of revised plans to attempt to mitigate neighbour’s concerns about the potential impact. Mitigations have included:

o   A pitched roof has been changed to a nearly flat roof to reduce the height.

o   The extension has been reduced to 2m at the level of the house.

o   A proposed 2^nd story extension over  the utility has been removed.

-       Ask the Committee to consider the disproportionate nature of the objections and the hostility to what is now a comparatively small extension. The planning process should not be a platform for abuse, threatening or bullying behaviour.

-       The planning officer’s report have distilled a huge number of objections down into the pertinent issues and noted the reasons under planning rules in respect to each why planning should be allowed and has recommended that the application be permitted in full.

-       There has been recent precedent for extensions on the road with 189 extending by 4 meters and 191 extending by 7 meters.  Whilst it is clear that loss of view is not a reason to object, the extension of 189 has prevented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

Planning application documents

The planning officer introduced the report as published.

There were no public speakers on the application.

The matter then went to Member questions and the responses were as follows:

-       Existing planting will be partly retained and will be supplemented by new planting. The fencing will be slightly higher than the vegetation but the structure will be lightweight and not very visible.

The matter then went to the vote on the officer recommendation to permit

For: 9

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Permitted.

For Members to note.

These were noted for information.

There were none.