Agenda item

Demolition of the existing bungalow & the construction of 1 pair of semi-detached houses with associated landscaping & parking. (As amended by plans 2022-03-24 to reduce height of dwellings by 0.5m; reduce depth of dwellings by two metres; moving dwellings further back from the road by 0.5m; loss of one bedroom in each dwelling) (Amended by plans 2022-07-11 to demonstrate three parking spaces for each dwelling) (As amended by plans 2022-08-08 to more accurately represent neighbouring no.30). (As amplified by additional bat information received 20 September 2022).

The committee considered planning application P21/S5308/FUL for the demolition of the existing bungalow and the construction of one pair of semi-detached houses with associated landscaping & parking. (As amended by plans 2022-03-24 to reduce height of dwellings by 0.5m; reduce depth of dwellings by two metres; moving dwellings further back from the road by 0.5m; loss of one bedroom in each dwelling) (Amended by plans 2022-07-11 to demonstrate three parking spaces for each dwelling) (As amended by plans 2022-08-08 to more accurately represent neighbouring no.30). (As amplified by additional bat information received 20 September 2022), on land at 32 Kennylands Road, Sonning Common.  

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 introduced the report and highlighted that the application was brought to the committee due to the objection of the parish council. The application itself was for the demolition of a bungalow and the erection of a pair of semi-detached four-bedroom dwellings in its place.

The planning officer noted that the existing bungalow was one of pair of bungalows of no distinct architectural style or character. The proposed two storey dwellings measured a height of 7.8 metres and would measure a combined width of 13 metres on the plot. Each property also had a two-storey projection set in from the boundary of their neighbours.

The planning officer also informed members that the application incorporated details responding to the surrounding area, that it would not be incongruous to the wider surrounding street scene, and would not be overbearing or intrusive to the amenity of neighbours. Overall, the planning officer recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions.

Martin Smith and Stan Rust spoke objecting to the application. 

The committee asked the planning officer about the gap between the proposed semi-detached buildings and the boundary. This was confirmed to be over a metre on the south boundary and two metres for the north property. Members expressed concern about the size of that gap and also that the erection of two semi-detached houses in the plot was out of character with the surrounding street scene.

Overall, as the committee believed that the scale, design, and spacing of the units did not meet the established appearance and character on that part of the road, they agreed that the application should be refused.

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

RESOLVED: to refuse planning application P21/S5308/FUL, for the following reasons:

Having regard its scale, massing and density the development it would appear cramped and at odds with the established character and appearance of this part of Kennylands Road. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies DES1 and DES2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035, the Joint Design Guide and Policy H3 and D1 of the adopted Sonning Common Neighbourhood Plan 2027 and Policies RD1, RD3, RD4 and RH3 of the emerging Sonning Common Neighbourhood Plan.