Issue - meetings

Erection of a two storey building comprising of a two-bedroom house

RECOMMENDATION

GRANT PERMISSION subject to conditions

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, on the application for planning permission for erection of a two storey building comprising of a two-bedroom house at The Cornerways, Ellington Road, Muswell Hill N10. The report set out images and details of the site and surroundings, details of the application, planning history, relevant planning policy, consultation and responses, human rights and equalities issues and recommended that the application be granted, subject to conditions. The Planning Officer gave a presentation on key aspects of the report, and advised of the following amendments to the conditions as set out in the report:

Condition 3: “….approved in writing and thereafter implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Local Planning Authority”

Condition 7: “…no development otherwise permitted by any part of Class A, B, C, D, E & F of Part 1 to Schedule 2 of that Order shall be carried out on site.”

Condition 11: “… The approved plans should must be adhered to throughout the construction period and shall provide details on:….”

The Committee discussed the application, and the following points were raised during this discussion:

• Officers felt that the current application was more discreet than the previous, refused, application. As a consequence, it was not felt to compete with the character of the surrounding area.
• Concern was expressed that there did not appear to be a policy in respect of developments of this nature, however it was noted that this was a highly unusual garden site, and that it was necessary to assess every application on the basis of its merits. This site did not constitute a backland site, as it fronted onto two roads.
• Mr Dorfman acknowledged that the report was not explicit with regards to the policies relevant to this application, and this would be addressed in future reports. Supporting policies were in place within the UDP and would also be incorporated into the Local Development Framework; consideration would then be given as to whether there were any elements of these policies required strengthening.
• The Committee noted the Planning Inspector’s opinion that the previous scheme was not in keeping with the surrounding area.

A local resident who lived next door to the site addressed the Committee in objection to the application, and made the following points:

• The primary concern was the height of the building in relation to the window of the neighbouring property, as this was an important source of light to the house next door.
• The pictures shown in the officer’s presentation were out of date, as there was significantly less screening of the site now.
• If the height of the building were below the 6ft fence between the properties, this would be acceptable in terms of light levels, but if it were higher than the 6ft fence, as was indicated by the drawings, then the neighbours would strongly object.
• The neighbouring property had been designed as an end-site, and the residents had enjoyed light from the side-window for many years. Any proposal which would block this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186