Agenda item

The committee considered application P20/S3660/FUL for the demolition of existing dwelling and construction of three dwellings with associated vehicular accesses (As amended by drawings received 12 November 2020 to move gable of plot 3) at 253 Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

The planning officer reported the reasons why a previous application for three detached dwellings on this site had been refused, in August 2020. The refusal reasons were, an overbearing impact on a neighbouring dwelling, and undue harm to their amenity. Also, it was determined that the width of the individual plots, and a cramped form of development, would be out of keeping with the spacious and verdant character and appearance of the location, owing to small gaps between the proposed dwellings and their respective neighbours. The content of the present application intended to address those refusal reasons; both dwellings on plot 1 and plot 3 had been moved away from neighbouring 251 Greys Road and 255a Greys Road.  In addition, the dwelling on plot 1 had been moved forward.  The dwelling on plot 1 would be approximately 3.2 metres away from neighbouring 251 Greys Road.  The dwelling on plot 1 would project beyond the rear of 251 Greys Road by approximately 4.7 metres, as shown in the report.  The refused scheme projected beyond the rear of 251 Greys Road by approximately 5.4 metres and was 0.6 metres closer to this neighbour than that which was currently proposed.  Also, the single storey rear aspect of Plot 1 had been set in from the side of the property, which further opened up the boundary with that neighbour. Planning officers considered that compared with the refused application, the current proposed scheme would have a more positive relationship with neighbours and would avoid any adverse impact upon their amenity.

Councillor Ken Arlett, a representative of Henley-on-Thames Town Council, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Luke Thompson, a local resident, of 251 Greys Road, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Greg Walters, a local resident of 225A Greys Road, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Jon Furneaux, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

In response to a question regarding the probable weight of an inspector’s decision relating to the appeal on the previous application, the planning officer reported that the scheme  before the committee at this time was markedly different from the August 2020 one and that the present application should be considered on its merits.

The committee expressed concern that the present application was unneighbourly and not appreciably different from the previous scheme, and that there would be an overbearing impact on 251 Greys Road. It considered that the application featured an unacceptably high level of density, was intrusive and was out of keeping with the appearance of this part of Greys Road. In addition, the committee considered that the application was contrary to South Oxfordshire Local Plan policies and the Joint Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan. It was therefore minded to refuse planning permission.

A motion moved and seconded, to refuse planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to refuse planning permission for application P20/S3660/FUL for the following reasons:

1.    That owing to the proximity and scale of the dwelling proposed on plot 1, the proposed development would result in an overbearing impact on the neighbouring dwelling, 251 Greys Road, and unduly harm their amenity.

2.    The proposed development conflicted with South Oxfordshire Local Plan policies and was contrary to the Joint Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan.

3.    Owing to the density of the proposed development, the width of the individual plots and the relatively small gaps between the proposed dwellings and their respective neighbours, the proposal would result in a cramped form of development, which would be out of keeping with the spacious and verdant character and appearance of this part of Greys Road.