Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 24/01489/FPH be REFUSED planning permission subject to the amended reason set out in the Supplementary document published alongside the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 31 minutes 13 seconds

The Planning Officer advised that updates had been provided in the Supplementary Document to the agenda and there were no further updates.

The Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 24/01489/FPH supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Emma Fernandes

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that:

·       Since this application was refused in June 2024, there had been changes to the proposed materials and colours, plus the addition of solar panels to the property.

·       The site plan had been changed to show 2 parking spaces but there was no change to the size of the allocated parking area.

In response to questions, the Conservation and Development Manager advised that the sustainability elements of the property were positive but they did not outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the street scene and the host dwelling that would result from the design compared to a traditionally designed dwelling.

The Chair invited Councillor Alistair Willoughby, as Member Advocate, to speak in support of the application. Cllr Willoughby thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       The house had originally been in a very bad state of repair.

·       The applicant had shown willingness to adapt the application and had invested money to improve this property.

·       This was a significant improvement to the existing property.

·       This property would be a modern design which would be visually appealing.

·       Timber was a material that had been used in properties for many years.

·       The neighbours had shown no objections to the new design.

·       The porch would have a flat roof which provided a better level of energy efficiency.

·       There were already many different house styles in the road.

The following Members asked for points of clarification:

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

In response to points of clarification, Councillor Willoughby advised that:

·       There were other timber cladded buildings in the area.

·       Timber made this property sustainable.

·       There was a great variety of porches in properties in the road.

·       Very few semi-detached properties were uniform in appearance.

The Chair thanked Cllr Willoughby for his presentation and invited Mr Ashley Greenhall to speak, as representative for the applicant, in support of the application. Mr Greenhall thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       He was the designer of the property and a future resident.

·       He wished to create a family home which was energy efficient that reached local government targets.

·       The flat roof and timber cladding met the Local Plan policy D1.

·       The flat roof minimised the building surface area and allowed space for solar panels to be installed.

·       The porch at 13cms higher met passive house standards.

·       A significant investment was being made to make this building sustainable.

The following Members asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70