Decision details

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for Roof extension incorporating rear dormer, and conversion of existing house into five 1-bed flats

and one 2-bed flat.

 

The Committee received representations in objection to the application from the following:

·       Ms Scott.

·       Mr Wagstaff.

 

The representations covered the following issues:

       i.          The application would change the character of the area as it proposed a block of flats in an area of family homes.

     ii.          Expressed specific concerns regarding:

·       Overbearing and dominant design.

·       Overlooking/overshadowing.

·       Local Plan policy 3/14 criteria were not met.

·       Bin collection.

·       Insecure bike storage facilities would attract crime to the area.

·       Car parking facilities.

·       The impact of drains on neighbours.

·       The flats were too small for occupants to use.

·       Overcrowding on the application site and the impact on residents’ mental health.

·       Residents’ amenities.

   iii.          Referred to a petition by sixty residents about the application.

 

Mr Tyers (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Mike Todd-Jones (Ward Councillor for Arbury) addressed the Committee about the application.

 

The representations covered the following issues:

       i.          Queried what was allowed under permitted development.

     ii.          The proposed flats would be out of character with the area as Roseford Road comprises of family homes.

   iii.          Referred to comments in his representation regarding Local Plan policy 5/2. The application proposed an overdevelopment of the site.

   iv.          The Council had a car parking policy, but in practice proposed parking facilities were not sufficient for the numbers of expected occupants.

    v.          Suggested the application could be refused on the grounds of mass, scale, overlooking and flats being too small for occupants.

 

Councillors Blencowe and Smart proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation that bins, bike storage, parking and the communal garden be included in the management plan referred to in condition 5.

 

This amendment was carried unanimously.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (by 6 votes to 1 with 1 abstention) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers as amended.

 

Condition 5 reworded to read as follows:

 

Prior to the occupation of the flats hereby approved a Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  This Management Plan shall include the maintenance of the garden.  The property shall be managed in accordance with the approved Management Plan unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason: To minimise the impact on neighbouring properties. (Cambridge Local Plan 2006, policy 3/7).