Application Number: 19/P2841                 Ward: Wimbledon Park

Officer Recommendation: GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions

PAC Resolved that Application 19/P2841 is:

Granted Planning Permission subject to Conditions

Proposal: Demolition of house and erection of a new three-storey dwellinghouse

The Committee noted the officer’s report and presentation and additional information in the Supplementary Agenda - Modifications

The Committee received verbal representations from two objectors and from the Applicant and his Agent.

The Objectors made points including:

·         We object to this new house owing to its bulk and massing, it is 3 times bigger than existing.

·         It is a waste of resources and does not create more homes.

·         It will not sit comfortably in the conservation area.

·         It does not meet Merton Policy

·         We are concerned about the separation distances

·         It will cause a loss of privacy for the immediate neighbours

·         It will cause a loss of outlook as it will project beyond the building lines at the front and back

·         The existing house could have been extended without impacting on neighbouring houses, this is a selfish development

The Applicant and his Agent made points including:

·         This application is for a dream family home

·         The existing house has little heritage, was previously approved for demolition. It is not mentioned in the Conservation Area appraisal

·         Arthur Road is characterised by mixed housing.

·         The proposal is supported by officers

·         The proposal is modern and distinctive, built with materials that reflect those used elsewhere in the Conservation area. It will be a high quality presence in the Conservation Area

·         The proposal will be much larger than the current house, but neighbouring houses have also been extended and are now double their original size

·         The upper floors do not extend beyond the current building lines, and measures have been taken to prevent overlooking

·         This will be family home of a high quality design, with a low impact on neighbours

In reply to Member’s Questions the Planning Team Leader North made points including:

·         The previous permission for demolition and re-build was in 2007. It has now lapsed but it was for a bigger property than this application

·         There is Bin Storage area at the front of the site

·         Though it is contemporary in design the materials used reflect those used in the Conservation Area. There are other contemporary designs on Arthur Road.

·         There is a Condition  to protect neighbour amenity from potential use of flat rooves as balconies. One flat roof is proposed to be used, but it will be screened, it is very small and set back

·         The key test for development in a Conservation area is does the development conserve and protect the conservation area.

·         It is Officers judgement that in its context; set amongst more modern houses and built with materials that reflect the conservation area, that this proposal will preserve the character of the conservation Area.

·         The previously allowed, lapsed, scheme was for a typical neo-classical design and was not unique. The design of this proposal is visually interesting in the street scene. There are other modern designs in the area and modern neo-classical designs

Members made comments including:

·         I don’t have a problem with the bulk and massing, and the design is beautiful but the design is not in keeping with the Conservation Area

·         There is conflict between the Case Officer and the Conservation Officer. The current house is not worth saving but the concept of a Conservation Area is that it implies homogeneity, and the current house is more cohesive than the proposal

·         We have to note that there was a previous permission for demolition of the existing house

A motion to refuse was proposed and seconded for the reason that the design is out of keeping with the conservation area and so fails to preserve the Conservation Area. This motion was defeated by the vote.

RESOLVED

The Committee voted to GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions