Agenda item

The Committee considered the above-mentioned full application for construction of three houses with associated parking, landscaping and access following demolition of the existing building. 

The Committee received a presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, Lisa Botha.  The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement.  There was an amended condition on the supplementary late sheets which took into account sustainability factors with regard to materials to be used and an additional condition to deal with surface water drainage on the site. 

The site was located within the urban area of Ash and was within the 400m to 5km TBHSPA.  It was also located within a residential area and comprised of a mix of detached, semi-detached and terrace properties which were predominantly two storeys in height. 

The site was comprised of a detached bungalow with an L-shaped footprint with double garage on a wide plot in need of modernisation.  The southern side of Alexandra Road was comprised predominantly of more narrow plots to the west of the application site there were wider plots with large detached properties.  The existing bungalow would be demolished and replaced by three detached dwellings onsite. 

Cycle stores were proposed to the rear and two parking spaces for each dwelling.  Planning officers were satisfied that the loss of the existing building was of no particular architectural merit.  The site represented a transition between smaller plots to the south-west and wider plots with detached properties.  The three detached dwellings would sit comfortably on the site and would retain good separation distances to the side boundaries with rear gardens provided with a depth of over 10 metres.  The frontages of the properties would be mainly hard surfaced to provide parking with some landscaping proposed to soften the visual impact.  No objection had been raised by the County Highway Authority.  No trees would be felled to enable the development and suitable measures were proposed in order to prevent damage to trees located close to the boundary of the application site.  The proposed dwellings would provide good living conditions for any future occupants and would not materially harm the amenities of neighbouring properties.

The Committee discussed the application and agreed that the development provided wider plots and separation distances than other neighbouring dwellings.  The proposal was considered to be a good use of space whilst also providing much needed housing.

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the application which was carried. 

In conclusion, having taken consideration of the representations received in relation to this application, the Committee

RESOLVED to approve application 22/P/01847 subject to the amended and updated conditions as detailed on the supplementary late sheets.     

The following additional condition:

The development hereby permitted shall not commence until details of the design of a surface water drainage scheme have been submitted to and approved in writing by planning authority. The design must satisfy the SuDS Hierarchy and be compliant with the NPPF and the accompanying PPG.

Reason: To ensure the development does not increase flood risk on or off site.  This pre-commencement condition is required in order to ensure that drainage details have been considered at an appropriate time of the development.

Amended condition

Condition 4 should be replaced by the following condition to take account of the requirement to provide the environmental credentials of all external materials.

Prior to the commencement of any development above slab level works, a written schedule with details of the source/ manufacturer, colour and finish, OR samples on request, of all external facing and roof materials. This must include the details of embodied carbon/ energy (environmental credentials) of all external materials. These shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the development shall be carried out using only those detailed.

Reason: To ensure that a satisfactory external appearance of the development is achieved and to ensure materials that are lower in carbon are chosen.