Agenda item

Demolition of existing residential property and construction of single self build dwelling.

The committee considered planning application P24/S3030/FUL:

Demolition of existing residential property and construction of single self-build dwelling.

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 presented the report. The site was located in a built-up residential area of Henley and fronted onto Walton Avenue, a private road lined by trees protected by a tree preservation order.

The site did not fall within any special areas of designation, but the rear boundary adjoined St Mark’s Road Conservation Area and a grade II listed church lay opposite the site.

The application proposed the demolition of the existing dwelling and garage and their replacement with a three-storey dwelling with a basement.

The proposed dwelling would be large, but its design, with distinct elements such as the smaller front and rear gable features, broke up the appearance of the mass, and officers considered it would not appear bulky.

The main part of the dwelling was sited so that it more closely reflected the building lines of adjacent neighbouring properties compared to the existing dwelling, which extended at great depth into the site.

The proposed dwelling would sit comfortably within the street. Its height would respect the stagger in property heights along the road, and gaps would be retained to the side boundaries and to neighbouring built form.

Officers considered the design and scale of the proposed dwelling would be proportionate to the plot. It would be in keeping with the character of the street, where there was great variety in the scale, design, and materials of properties, and it would not harm the setting of the conservation area or the listed church.

The proposed dwelling would have the greatest impact on the neighbour to the north-east, but officers did not consider this impact would be harmful. The proposal would result in built form closer to the boundary with an increased eaves height. The neighbouring bedroom window facing the proposed dwelling would be most affected, but the bedroom was served by a secondary window on the rear of the neighbouring property. The proposal would not, therefore, result in a harmful loss of light to the room, and the side wall of the proposed dwelling would be sited sufficiently far from the window so that it would not be overbearing or result in a loss of outlook.

Proposed windows had been carefully placed and positioned to avoid overlooking.

In summary, the proposal complied with the relevant development plan policies, and officers therefore recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions listed in the report.

Councillor Tom Buckley spoke on behalf of Henley on Thames Town Council in objection to the application.

Alice Bromley, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Simon Mack, the agent representing the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Members praised the thoughtful and sensible approach of the proposal, noting that the build form had been reduced in terms of impact and that issues with the neighbours had been addressed. Members added that the variety of designs on the road meant that the proposed design was appropriate. Members thanked the applicants for their presentation, noting that the concerns about shading had been addressed.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P24/S3030/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

1.    Commencement within three years

2.    Development in accordance with the approved plans

3.    Sample or schedule of materials to be agreed

4.    Parking & manoeuvring areas to be provided and retained

5.    Tree protection (implementation as approved)

6.    Location of subterranean drainage and services to be agreed

7.    Surface water drainage scheme required

8.    Bird and bat boxes and planting to encourage wildlife

9.    No external lighting unless wildlife sensitive scheme agreed

10.Energy Statement Verification

Note: a comfort break was taken at 19.18. The meeting resumed at 19.23.