Agenda item

Proposal: Demolition of 8 garages, erection of pair of semi-detached dwellings and construction of 8 parking spaces.

The Specialist, Development presented the application as detailed in the agenda and informed members that the description should be updated to read the construction of 5 parking spaces and not 8 as set out in the report due to the amended plans for angled parking bays on the site in accordance with a request from the Highways consultant.

She explained that the application had been brought to committee as SSDC were part owners of the site and that the rest of the site was owned by Yarlington Housing.   With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she continued to show the site and proposed plans.

She said that the applicant had advised that there were additional vacancy’s within close proximity of the site for existing users of these garages, however much of the garaging was now used for storage rather than parking cars.

The Specialist referred to the key considerations being Visual and residential amenity, highway safety and parking.  She believed the proposed replicated design of existing houses is acceptable for the character of the area and sits comfortably within the streetscene with no loss of privacy to other neighbouring properties and that the parking provision plans have been amended in accordance with the Council’s Highways safety consultant.  

Therefore she concluded that after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her proposal was to approve the application as set out in the agenda report.

In response to members’ questions she confirmed that:

·         A condition could be imposed to ensure proper delineation of the parking spaces.

·         Yarlington owned the existing garages and therefore there would be no loss of revenue to SSDC.

·         The imposition of solar panels would be the responsibility of Building Control.

An employer of SSDC addressed the committee.  He explained that part of his role was to help deliver the Council’s Commercial Strategy and a key responsibly was to work in partnership with Yarlington Housing group to deliver small housing schemes. He believed that the current garages were underutilised with other garages available within 200 metres of this site.  He felt this was a good logical scheme which provided additional parking within the area.

Ward member, Councillor David Recardo acknowledged the need for additional housing.  However he raised concern that this proposal could set a precedent for other garages within the area to be removed in order to make way for further housing.  He noted that parking within the area was already a problem with cars parked on the roadside and was nervous that further development, loss of garages and green space would be detrimental to highway safety in the area. 

There being no further debate, it was then proposed and seconded that the application be approved, as per the officers recommendation as set out in the agenda report with an additional condition to ensure proper delineation of the parking spaces on the site. On being put to the vote this was carried by 10 votes in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: 

That application 19/00819/FUL be approved for the following reasons:

01.       This is a sustainable location for residential development, and the proposal is considered to respect the character of the area that will not result in demonstrable harm to residential amenity or highway safety. The proposed development is therefore accords with Policies SD1, SS6, TA5, TA6 and EQ2 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan 2006 - 2028, and with guidance contained in the NPPF 2019.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:  Drawing No.'s 'site_1817-planning1Bparking at 45 angle.dwg' and 'plans_1817-planning1.dwg', site_1817-Location1.dwg'.

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

03.       No building operations above damp proof course level of the dwelling shall take place until details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces (doors/windows/stonework/render/brick/roof finish) of the dwelling hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

            Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to accord with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       At the proposed accesses there shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 900 millimetres above adjoining road level within the visibility splays shown on the submitted plan. (Drawing No. site_1817-planning1Bparking at 45 angle.dwg) Such visibility splays shall be constructed prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted and shall thereafter be maintained at all times.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

05.       The parking spaces shall be properly consolidated, surfaced and drained (as shown on Drawing No. site_1817-planning1Bparking at 45 angle.dwg') before the dwellings hereby approved are occupied and shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

06.       Prior to the occupation of the dwellings hereby approved a scheme for the lining of the car parking spaces to the east of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall be implemented prior to the occupation of the dwellings and shall be retained and maintained in accordance with the approved scheme unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  

Reason: To ensure proper delineation of the parking spaces in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-2028.’

Informatives:

01.       Please be advised that approval of this application by South Somerset District Council will attract a liability payment under the Community Infrastructure Levy.  CIL is a mandatory financial charge on development and you will be notified of the amount of CIL being charged on this development in a CIL Liability Notice.

You are required to complete and return Form 1 Assumption of Liability as soon as possible and to avoid additional financial penalties it is important that you notify us of the date you plan to commence development before any work takes place.  Please complete and return Form 6 Commencement Notice.

You are advised to visit our website for further details https://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/cil or email cil@southsomerset.gov.uk

02.       Having regard to the powers of the Highway Authority under the Highways Act 1980 the applicant is advised that the creation of the new access will require a Section 184 Permit. This must be obtained from the Highway Service Manager Tel No 0845 345 9155. Application for such a permit should be made at least four weeks before access works are intended to commence.

(voting: 10 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention)