Agenda item

Erection of 4no. two storey town houses after demolition of existing dwelling (resubmission). [Acomb Ward] [Site Visit].

Members considered an outline application by Mr Sydney Bailey for the erection of four 2 storey town houses after demolition of the existing dwelling (resubmission).

Officers circulated a written update to members which advised them that two further conditions be added, the first relating to vehicular crossings and the second relating to positive drainage.

Representations were received from the Acomb Planning Panel in objection to the application. The Panel stated that the houses did not fit in with the appearance and character of houses in Beckfield Lane and Turnberry Drive and advised that plot 3 should be set back in line with plot 4.

Representations were also received from the applicant in support of the application. He advised Members that 76 Beckfield Lane is a bungalow in a state of disrepair and it would not be financially viable to repair it. He stated that there was a need for more housing in York, especially for first time buyers and that building new houses would bring a boost to the construction industry which had been hit by the recession.

Some Members raised concerns that the drains, which already struggle to cope with heavy rainfall, would not be able to cope with increased surface water created by additional houses. Members also questioned whether plots 3 and 4 could be set back further but officers responded that this would not be possible as it would mean they would not have any back gardens.  

Members voiced the opinion that the derelict site was in need of development and was large enough to accommodate 4 properties . They agreed that there was already a mix of properties on Turnberry Drive and that this development would create four desirable new properties.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the additional conditions listed below:

Additional Condition 15

The development shall not be first occupied until all existing vehicular crossings not shown as being retained on the approved plan ref:BDC/MB/08.1B, have been removed by reinstating the verge and footway to match the adjacent levels.

Reason: In the interests of good management of the highway and of road safety.

Additional Condition 16

Prior to the development first coming into use, all areas used by vehicles shall be surfaced, sealed and positively drained within the site in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to work on site commencing.

Reason: To prevent the egress of water and loose material onto the public highway.

REASON:      The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report and the additional conditions listed above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to  impact upon the visual amenity of the wider street scene, impact upon the residential amenity of neighbouring properties and impact upon the local surface water drainage network. As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1, GP4a) , GP10 , GP15a),H4a), H5a) and L1c)  of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.