Issue - meetings

Planning permission sought for HGY/ 2011/0193; the demolition of 1940s extensions to listed villa and replacement with new single storey extension; repairs to fabric and re-planning of interior; extension of terrace to Archway Road to accommodate 4 self contained flats; erection of a detached 4 bedroom residential unit to front onto Cholmeley Park with an associated off-street car parking space; removal of specified trees and planting of new trees and hard and soft landscaping to the site.

RECOMMENDATION: GRANT PERMISSION subject to conditions and subject to Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, which set out the application, site and surroundings, planning history, relevant planning policy, consultation responses and recommendations. The planning officer presented the report, and advised the Committee that the proposal had been amended to remove the wording “with an associated off street car parking space”, that the wording of condition 8 to recommendation 4 in the report be amended to remove “to Schedule 2” and that under the planning history, applications HGY/2010/1652 and HGY/2010/1653 had both been withdrawn, rather than ‘not determined’ as set out in the report. The relevant Traffic Management Order would be amended to reflect that the scheme would now be car-free, with free membership of the car club for the first year. The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement.

The Committee asked questions of the officer. In response to a question regarding the height of the proposed new building in relation to the properties on Southwood Avenue, it was reported that the gardens of these properties was significantly lower than the site. The Committee asked about the design of the proposed new building in the context of the Conservation Area, in response to which it was reported that the design was largely determined by the site constraints and that there was a wish for the new building to be subordinate and to respect the openness of the site. It was felt that the proposal was sympathetic to its surroundings, although being modern in design.

A local resident, Keith Gold, addressed the Committee in objection to the application. Mr Gold outlined the planning history of the site, and advised that local residents did not object to the proposals for the extension of the terrace on Archway Road, nor the refurbishment of the listed building, but that the Cholmeley Park proposal was a concern as it would infringe local residents’ privacy and overlook the gardens of properties on Southwood Avenue. At the very least, the Committee was asked to reduce the height of the proposed new building by 2m. On the basis of the impact the proposal would have on local residents, the Committee was asked to reject the application.

Cllr Allison, Local Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee and asked them to reject the application on the grounds of the design of the proposed new building. It was felt to be too high, too wide and with no features of merit. Cllr Allison reported that the design failed to address the concerns put forward by English Heritage and was unattractive. There were no objections to the two other elements of the application. Cllr Hare, Local Ward Councillor, also addressed the Committee in opposition to the proposed new building. Cllr Hare reported that the design related poorly to the landscape, took no account of the comments of English Heritage and was not of sufficient quality for a Conservation Area. The Committee was asked to reject the application.

In response to a question from the Committee,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 176