Agenda item

Erection of detached dwelling with associated garage and parking. [Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered an outline application from Mr L Harrison for the erection of a detached dwelling with associated garage and parking.

The Committee were informed that Councillor Semlyen, who had hoped to speak at the meeting, had asked for the following objections to be taken into account.

·        The scale and massing was excessive

·        Access and parking issues re safety and volume of cars

·        Draining concerns

·        Concerns over whether full and correct info was given

Officers advised that an additional letter had been received from the occupier of 7 Helmsdale. This advised that surveyors have been employed and were of the opinion that a section of the driveway, to the front of number 7 Helmsdale, which formed part of the application site, did not fall within the ownership of the applicant. Land Registry documents had been provided and a letter requested that the plans were amended prior to permission being granted to prevent unnecessary confusion if the site was subject to sale to a third party. Officers confirmed that if there was a  discrepancy, the area of land was so small, this would not make a material difference as regards accessing the site.

Officer recommended an additional condition (NOISE7) to restrict hours of construction  and that condition 7 be amended requiring the proposed cycle parking for the existing dwelling at 9 Helmsdale shown on the approved drawing to be implemented.

Mr Geoff Headley, a neighbour, spoke in objection to the application. He advised Members that ,in the 1980s, the council had refused an application for a similar dwelling and at that time there was less traffic. He stated that a four bed house would be too large, could not be classed as affordable housing and may mean an additional four cars of unknown sizes making parking dangerous.

Mr Paul Butler, the architect, spoke in support of the application. He advised that the scale, height and massing of the proposed dwelling followed pre application advice received from planning officers and the height had now been reduced further.  The plot was a good size, was well screened and discreet. The proposed building would accord with planning policy and would address Councillor Semlyen’s concerns.

Some Members expressed concerns that the proposed house would leave little space on either side and an inadequate amount of garden. However other Members felt that the existing and new house would still have good sized gardens, of a similar size to other nearby properties. Members agreed that the house was on the large size but not unreasonable. They agreed that the height of the proposed building was similar to and would not dominate other nearby properties but recommended that a condition be added stating that the ground level should not be raised.

Resolved:  That the application be approved subject to a Section 106 agreement and subject to the conditions listed in the report and the additional and amended conditions below.

Additional Condition

The hours of construction, loading or unloading on the site shall be confined to 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:00 Saturday and no working on Sundays or public holidays.

Reason: To protect the amenities of adjacent residents.

Amended Condition 7

The proposed cycle parking for the existing dwelling at 9 Helmsdale shown on the approved drawing shall be implemented prior to the first occupation of the new dwelling hereby approved.

Additional Condition

There shall be no alterations to land levels without a further planning permission having first been granted by the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interests of the living conditions of adjacent residential properties.

Reason:     This application was considered to comply with the provisions of the NPPF and Development Control Local Plan policies GP1, GP10, H4A and GP15A.