Agenda item

Variation of conditions 2 (Approved plans), 4 (Surface water drainage works (details required), 5 (Surface water management plan (details required) and 7 (Foul drainage works (details required) on application P23/S2754/FUL. (as amended by Plans and information received 29 April and 20 May 2024).

(Proposed demolition of existing equestrian buildings and erection of two detached three bedroom houses with associated parking and amenity space provision. Creation of new shared vehicular access).

The committee considered planning application P24/S0998/S73 for the variation of conditions 2 (approved plans), 4 (Surface water drainage works (details required), 5 (Surface water management plan (details required) and 7 (Foul drainage works (details required) on application P23/S2754/FUL (as amended by plans and information received 29 April and 20 May 2024) (proposed demolition of existing equestrian buildings and erection of two detached three bedroom houses with associated parking and amenity space provision. Creation of new shared vehicular access), on land at Stable Yard to East of Chinnor Road, Chinnor Road, Towersey.  

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 Towersey Parish Council.

The planning officer informed the committee that the site contained four single storey buildings sited near existing residential developments previously used in connection to private equestrian use. She also indicated that the site was within the village boundary and that permission existed on the site for the change of use into two dwellings, subject to drainage conditions.

The application sought to amend the existing permission with a revised plan to plot 1, including an increased gable height of 400mm and the creation of an additional gable to the rear, and an amendment to drainage conditions. The planning officer confirmed that she did not consider that the proposed change to the dwelling would significantly alter the form, scale, or massing of the scheme as a whole, including from when it was viewed from public vantage points. She also confirmed that the additional rear gable would be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

On the position of the dwellings, the planning officer indicated that the proposal would have some impact on the natural light to the neighbour to the north, at Croft Cottage. However, as the dwellings would be set back and at least 1.5 metres from the shared boundary, she considered that it would not cause significant harm. The planning officer also brought the committees attention to a light study which found that there would be no measurable increased impact on light outlook for the neighbour. 

The planning officer also highlighted that a suggested condition on the approval of the application would be for the windows on the northwest elevation of plot 1 to be obscure glazed and fixed shut. She also noted that the drainage engineer had no objection to the revised drainage conditions subject to compliance conditions and that all other matters, such as highways, had not been changed since the approved application.

Overall, as there were no objections from technical consultees and the impact to the neighbours would be minimal, the planning officer recommended that the application be approved.

Tim Shreeve spoke on behalf of Towersey Parish Council, objecting to the application. 

The committee discussed the proposed plots and compared them to the position of the plots across the street, noting that the proposed positioning of the dwellings was normal for the area. On a question about how much of an impact the proposals would have on light reaching the northern neighbour at Croft Cottage, the planning officer confirmed that she did not believe it would be significant. 

Although some members were concerned about the impact that the proposal would have on the privacy of the resident of Croft Cottage and the light that they would receive, the committee did not believe that the shading was significant and so was not a reason to refuse the application. As both of the proposed dwellings were set back from Croft Cottage, and as the committee could see no material planning reasons to refuse the application, they agreed to approve the application subject to conditions.

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

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P24/S0998/S73, subject to the following conditions:

1. Time Limit - Variation of Condition

2. Approved plans

3. Levels (details required)

4. Surface Water Drainage implementation

5. Foul Water drainage implementation

6. Ecology - Biodiversity Management Plan (details required)

7. Integrated Biodiversity Enhancements (prior to slab level)

8. Landscaping (including hardsurfacing and boundary treatment)

9. Energy Statement Verification

10. Tree protection (implementation as approved)

11. Wildlife Protection (construction phase as approved)

12. First floor windows and rooflights (specified cill level)

13. Materials as on plan

14. Natural stonework - traditional construction

15. Rooflights (flush fitting)

16. Cycle Parking Facilities

17. New vehicular access

18. Vision splay protection

19. Parking and Manoeuvring Areas Retained

20. Electric Vehicles Charging Point (implementation)

21. Domestic Solar panels

22. Unsuspected Contaminated Land Condition

23. INFORMATIVE - Drainage

24. INFORMATIVE - Works within the Highway

25. UNIQUE INFORMATIVE - Highways

26. EPS Licence Informative

27. INFORMATIVE - Towersey Neighbourhood Plan policies