Agenda item
24/00216/S73 Chalfont, 3 Wroslyn Road, Freeland
Minutes:
Sarah Hegerty, Planning Officer, introduced the application for the variation of conditions 2 and 3 of Planning Permission 22/02862/HHD to allow design and material changes, and to regularise the proposal and the clients The contractor had started to build extensions different from the approved drawings.
The Planning Officer provided a presentation to the Sub-Committee drawing attention to the following along with the site photos:
- The site was located in a residential area of Freeland and it was not in an area of special designated control;
- The area was not typified with one specific house type or material, however the neighbouring properties either side were both single or one and half storey bungalows which have both been extended in various ways including front extension and also raising of the roof;
- The property was a detached single storey bungalow dwelling with a rear conservatory, constructed of buff brick and white render under a tile roof. The dwelling sat on a relatively large plot which was set back from the front of the plot by approximately 22 metres and had a staggered build line from the adjacent properties;
- The proposed alterations were minor and were not considered to disrupt the dwelling's overall proportions or detract from the appearance of the street scene;
- The change in materials were to the rear and were still considered to be consistent with the overall appearance of the property;
- Officers therefore considered the proposed acceptable in such regard.
The representative of the applicant, Mr Griffins addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant.
The Planning Officer continued with their presentation which clarified the following points:
- Similar to previous applications, the impact on neighbouring amenities had been thoroughly assessed. The rear extension, closest to neighbouring properties (1 Wroslyn Road and Pembroke House), extended an additional 51cm further into the amenity space without an increase in height;
- Although this extension would be visible from within the neighbouring properties amenity spaces, officers did not believe it would have a detrimental impact in terms of being overbearing or loss of light, especially considering the single-story nature of the extension;
- Given the staggered nature of the dwellings the front additions would not have an impact on the neighbouring properties;
- As with the previous permission, conditions had been applied to ensure the sill of the rooflights was 1.7m above finished floor level to ensure no overlooking from these windows. Additionally, permitted development rights had been removed to ensure neighbouring amenity was maintained.
The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the
following points:
- Members raised concerns over the close proximity to neighbours, the pitched roof and gables which would have an overbearing impact on neighbours, was overbearing and would affect the neighbours right to light and it was felt that the application should be refused. The Planning Officer explained that the front extension gap was not increasing in height with no windows and was just slightly forward;
- Other Members felt that the small changes did not warrant refusal and that the Officers recommendation was correct;
- The Business Manager for Development Management reminded Members that they must assess what harms have been identified and that what has been built is not a material difference.
Councillor Geoff Saul proposed that the application be approved, in line with Officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt and was put to a vote. There were 3 votes in favour, 4 votes against with 2 abstentions. The vote was not carried.
Councillor Hugo Ashton proposed that the application be refused, in line with policies H6 and OS4. This was seconded by Councillor Lidia Arciszewska and was put to a vote. There were for 4 votes in favour, 4 votes against and 1 abstention. The Chair exercised their casting vote and voted in favour of the proposal. The vote was carried.
The Sub-Committee Resolved to:
- Refuse the application, in accordance with policy OS4 and H6 regarding the overbearing impact on the neighbouring properties.