Agenda item

Subdivide existing 7-bed dwelling to form 1x 5-bed dwelling and 1x 2-bed dwelling utilising existing parking and vehicular access to Chazey Close; single-storey front extension and addition of new porch and access; associated works (as amended by plan received 04 March 2022 to alter access and parking arrangement).

Part way through the consideration of this application, members took a vote just before the meeting guillotine of 8:30pm to continue.

Councillor Tim Bearder left the meeting prior to the consideration of this planning application and therefore did not participate in the debate or voting upon it.

Councillor Alan Thompson left the meeting prior to the consideration of this planning application and therefore did not participate in the debate or voting upon it.

The committee considered planning application P21/S5334/FUL to subdivide an existing 7-bed dwelling to form 1x 5-bed dwelling and 1x 2-bed dwelling, utilising existing parking and vehicular access to Chazey Close; single-storey front extension and addition of new porch and access; associated works. (as amended by plan received 04 March 2022 to alter access and parking arrangement) at 3 Chazey Close, Chazey Heath.

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 the meeting.

The planning officer reported that the application intended to sub-divide the existing dwelling into two dwellings.  The two-storey side aspect of the dwelling would be divided from the original dwelling to form a two-bedroom house and the original would become a five-bedroom property. The application also included a single storey front extension to the two-bed unit and a front porch on the five-bed unit

Councillor Jane Bowen, a representative of Mapledurham Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. A statement from Councillor Bowen had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer prior to the meeting.

Ms. Julianna Beecroft, a local resident (who was also speaking on behalf of local resident Mr. Frank O’Neill), spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Stephen Young, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Peter Dragonetti, the local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

The committee noted paragraph 6.5 of the report and recalled that the housing and development policies within the council’s development plan sought to ensure that all new developments were of a design and size that were in keeping with the surroundings and did not harm the character of the area. Referring to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the committee considered that the application did not comply with the requirement to ensure that development was sympathetic to local character, including the surrounding built environment and the landscape setting. The committee was also of the view that the sub-division of the property was unneighbourly and out of keeping with the existing character of the street scene. It also considered that the proposed development would be cramped and represent overdevelopment.  The committee was not minded to grant planning permission.

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

RESOLVED: to refuse planning permission for application P21/S5334/FUL for the following reasons;

1.    Adverse impact on established character and appearance of the neighbourhood.

2.    Sub division of the site is out of keeping with the plot width.

3.    Adverse impact upon the amenity of neighbours.