Agenda item

Application Proposal: Section 73A application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of planning approval 09/03037/FUL to allow for revised plans to replace on plot 1 a single storey dwelling with a two storey dwelling

(Councillor Nick Colbert declared a personal interest as he owns a property near to the site)

The Planning Officer presented her report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. She advised members that the application had been two-starred in line with the scheme of delegation and would be referred to the Regulation Committee should the application be refused.

She explained to members that a similar application, to amend plots 2 and 3 from bungalows to houses, had been considered by the Committee in March. She advised that this earlier application had been refused and that this new application to change a bungalow to a house related to plot 1.

She explained that since considering the earlier application, no new issues had been raised.

Using the PowerPoint presentation, she provided images of the site and a plan to show the layout and location of bungalows and houses on the site.

She commented that there would be an impact to neighbours, however felt that this would not result in demonstrable harm to the adjoining neighbours and advised that sufficient parking had been proposed. She was therefore recommending that the application be approved.

In response to a member’s question, the senior planning advisor, explained the reasons why the application had been two-starred in line with the council’s scheme of delegation.

Councillor William Wallace, Ward Member, noted that the parking issues had been addressed, however explained to the Committee that there were letters of objection and that the proposal will result in a loss of sunlight and will affect the outlook for the neighbouring properties. He felt that the application was unacceptable due to the overlooking and the impact that this would have on the neighbouring bungalows.

Councillor Hayward Burt, also Ward Member, agreed with the comments of Councillor William Wallace and commented that this proposal would make the site unbalanced.

During the discussion, members commented that bungalows sell quickly and are in demand.

It was proposed that the application be approved as per the officer report, however this was not seconded.

It was proposed and seconded that the members were minded to refuse the planning application and refer the planning application to the regulation committee for determination as members felt that the proposed alterations to plot 1 would have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of the neighbouring properties.

On being put to the vote, this was carried 6 in support, 3 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: that members were minded to refuse planning application 18/01071/S73A and to refer to the regulation committee for the following reason:

01.          The proposed alterations to plot 1 would, by reason of their resultant height, size, and position, result in an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring properties by way of overlooking and the resultant loss in privacy, contrary to policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and the policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

(Voting: 6 in support, 3 against and 1 abstention)