Agenda item
Rear of 459 Roman Road (PA/14/03667)
Proposal:
Construction of a mews house to the rear of existing shop/residential building
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the proposal. The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Peter Dobbin spoke in objection as a resident of a nearby property. He considered that the proposal would worsen the existing problems with parking at the site to the detriment of the occupants quality of life. The erection of a Mews House would also lead to the right of way access strip becoming blocked preventing residents from accessing their car parking spaces. The application should be deferred for a site visit so that Members can fully assess the impact of the proposal. In response to Members, he clarified his concerns.
Kieran Rafferty spoke in support. He drew attention to the revised design following consultation to ensure that the scheme was in keeping with the surrounding properties. He also explained the previous and existing use of the site, the access arrangements and provided assurances regarding the right of way. He also described the measures to protect privacy.
Tim Ross (Deputy Team Leader, Development and Renewal) gave a presentation on the application. He highlighted the site location, the surrounding area (including the location of the objector’s property that had addressed the meeting) and the access routes. The site was located in the Conservation Area. However there were no listed buildings in the vicinity of the application site.
Consultation had been carried out and the issues raised were explained, especially the concerns about increased car parking from the scheme.
Members were advised of the key features of the scheme including: the layout, the wall to be demolished (that was not a heritage asset) the revised design and the proposed materials that were in keeping with the area. They also noted the quality of the new unit and that the impact on amenity was acceptable.
Given the merits of the scheme Officers were recommending that it be granted permission.
In response to questions, Officers noted the objections about parking pressure from the scheme in view of the existing issues in this regard. Therefore, to address the concerns, the scheme would be car free. The right of way was a civil matter. However, it was unlikely that the addition of one property should block access to properties given the car free agreement and the access arrangements.
Officers also described the new boundary treatment retaining a similar relationship with the boundary edge as the existing wall. It would be very difficult to park a vehicle in the site boundary. However, to address the concerns about parking in the application site area, an addition condition could be added to prevent this. Accordingly it was proposed by Officers and agreed by the Committee that details of boundary treatment be submitted for approval to prevent car parking within the application site.
The plans should have little impact on neighbouring amenity in terms of daylight, noise etc. The concerns around amenity were more about how the increased parking pressure could affect amenity.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
That planning permission be GRANTED at Rear of 459 Roman Road for construction of a mews house to the rear of existing shop/residential building(PA/14/03667) subject to the conditions set out in the committee report and the addition condition agreed at the meeting that details of boundary treatment be submitted and approved.
Supporting documents: