Application: 20/P2547

Ward: Abbey

Recommendation: Grant Planning Permission subject to conditions and s106 agreement

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P2547 be GRANTED planning permission subject to a S106 agreement and conditions.

Proposal: Erection of a two storey terrace building comprising 5 residential units (3 x 5 bedroom houses, 1 x 2 bedroom flat and 1 x 3 bedroom flat) with associated works, including outbuildings, landscaping, car parking and cycle/bin storage.

The Committee noted the report and the plans presented by the Development Control Team Leader (North).  The Committee also noted the modifications contained in the supplementary agenda.

An objector had registered to speak and at the invitation of the Chair the following points were raised:

·         there were still concerns relating to the design, outdoor space and parking;

·         5 bed for 10 person house would be overcrowding for occupancies;

·         the front of the building, in particular, the dormer windows was out of character with the adjoining properties and did not comply with the DM D2 policy;

·         there were insufficient cycle storage;

·         the garden to the ground floor was too small for this development.

The applicant’s agent had registered to speak and at the invitation of the Chair addressed the Committee with the following points:

·         the development had been designed with the existing character to Hamilton Road;

·         the site was in a sustainable location;

·         the proposal was for a modern interpretation of the existing properties and would complement the overall scheme;

·         in terms of parking, two new parking bays were proposed situated on Hamilton Road;

·         cycle storage and bin storage was also provided in line with the Council's standards;

·         in terms of sustainability, solar panels was proposed on parts of the roof and there would be a 19 reduction on carbon emissions over building road requirements.

In response to the objector and Members questions, the Development Control Team Leader (North) addressed the following points:

·         the garden space that was proposed did meet the standard requirements;

·         the two on street parking bays available was deemed to be acceptable;

·         the number of cycle storage provided was in line with the policy;

·         it was clarified that should the application be granted, Members’ could include an additional condition that the window frames be white.

Councillor Nigel Benbow had submitted a written speech and the Senior Democratic Services Officer had read this out to the Committee. The Committee noted that Councillor Nigel Benbow welcomed the latest development plans, however he felt there were still issues relating to the design, in particular, the proposed development was not kept with the appearance and character of Victorian Terrace houses in Hamilton Road and the surrounding area. The development was still too large for the area and concerns whether the development provided acceptable living conditions for the occupiers. He further recommended that the large dormer windows to be removed to keep with the character of Hamilton Road. 

The Chair moved to the vote on the officer’s recommendation and it was

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P2547 be GRANTED planning permission subject to a S106 agreement and conditions.