Agenda item
19 Senrab Street, London, E1 0QE (PA/16/03188)
Proposal:
Retrospective planning permission for a rear dormer window (with alterations) to facilitate a loft conversion.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to REFUSE planning permission for the reason set out in the Committee report.
Minutes:
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager) introduced the application for retrospective planning permission for a rear dormer window (with alterations) to facilitate a loft conversion.
The Chair then invited the registered speaker to address the Committee.
Sarah Skinner (Applicant) spoke in support of the application. She stated that the dormer window could only be partially seen from the public realm (as shown on the applicant’s submitted maps). Apart from this, the proposal could only really be viewed from private properties. Furthermore, the existing roof line of Senrab Street had already been disturbed by the presence of other dormer windows on the street that were much larger and more visible. She also stated that the application had attracted a considerable amount of public support. In response to questions from the Committee, she emphasised these points about the presence of other similar developments on the street and the lack of its visibility from the street scene.
Beth Eite (Planning Services, Development and Renewal) presented the application, describing the location of the property in the Conservation Area. She drew attention to the history of the development. An application was made in 2015 to retain the dormer window at the rear of the property. This was refused and dismissed at appeal for the reasons set out in the Committee report. This application sought to overcome the reasons for refusal by reducing the width of the dormer. The application had been subject to local consultation generating 2 petitions in support with 37 signatures, 1 representative in support as well as 1 representation in objection. In summary, Officers considered that, despite the changes, the retention of the rear dormer would result in an alteration that was unduly dominant and overbearing to the host building. As a result it would harm the setting of the Albert Gardens Conservation Area. There were no public benefits to outweigh the impact. As a result, Officers considered that the application should be refused permission.
In response, Members asked questions about the character of the existing roof line and that of the existing roof dormers in the street. It was reported that no approvals for roof dormers had been granted since the areas designation as a Conservation Area. However, it was noted that another property on the same side of the street featured a dormer, but this was a slightly different style of property and the permission involved a minor increase in the size of the dormer. Despite this, it was stressed that each application should be considered on its own merits. In this case, Officers, (guided by the appeal decision), considered that a dormer in this location would be inappropriate.
Members also asked questions about the visibility of the development from the street scape and the benefits of the development. In response, Officers noted that the impact on such views was negligible. Nevertheless, the impact on private views in the Conservation Area was an important consideration, as set out in the appeal decision findings. Given the impact on such views from Dunelm Street, Officers considered that the overall impact on the Conservation Area would be less than substantial. In view of the lack of any public benefits to offset this, Officers considered that the application should be refused permission. In response to further questions about the representations in support it was noted that a number of the signatories lived in Dunelm Street.
On a vote of 0 in favour of the Officer recommendation and 6 against, the Committee did not agree the Officer recommendation to refuse the planning permission.
Accordingly, Councillor Andrew Cregan proposed and Councillor Denise Jones seconded a motion that the planning permission be granted (for the reasons set out below) and on a vote of 6 in favour and 0 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That retrospective planning permission be GRANTED at 19 Senrab Street, London, E1 0QE for a rear dormer window (with alterations) to facilitate a loft conversion (PA/16/03188)
2. That Officers be delegated authority to impose conditions on the planning permission.
The Committee were mind to grant the planning permission given: the lack of visibility of the development from the street scape; the number of representations in favour of the development and the presence of other dormer windows on Senrab Street.
Supporting documents: