Decision details

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for construction of a basement under the front part of property.

The Planning Officer updated his report by referring to amendments as listed on the amendment sheet.

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a resident of Canterbury Street.

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          The shared lane was part of the property of 32 Canterbury Street. It was shared by consent not by right.

     ii.          The method of basement construction was a key factor determining its impact on neighbours. Asked Councillors not to grant permission without prior detail in the construction method statement. Took issue with the lack of detail on how enforcement action would be taken if construction was not undertaken in an appropriate way.

   iii.          Took issue with the perceived lack of detail in the 2006 Local Plan on how basements should be constructed. Requested the Council developed an up to date policy.

   iv.          Suggested the proposal would be turned down in London and would set a dangerous precedent in Cambridge.

Mr Thompson (Applicant) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

In response to Member’s comments the Principal Planner proposed amendments to the Officer’s recommendation:

       i.          That condition 5 be amended so wording was in-line with condition 7.

     ii.          To include an informative about public sewerage system.

The amendments were carried unanimously.

The Committee:

Resolved unanimously (by 7 votes to 0) 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 plus remove condition 6 and add surface water drainage condition, re-wording of condition 5 and the addition of informative 9.

Informative numbered No. 9 should be added to read:

Informative The applicant should be aware that some parts of the public sewerage system are situated within the boundary of properties and you must obtain our authorisation to carry out any building work over or within 3m of the public sewerage system. There are public sewers running along the highway fronting the property and a sewer running through the property’s back garden. It is recommended that the applicant check the location of Anglian Water assets in relation to their proposed development via digdat – www.digdat.co.uk.  Please note that planning consent does not grant approval to build over or within 3 metres of a public sewer.