Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for change of use of private amenity space to residential garden, and enclosure of extended garden with 1.8m high close-boarded fencing.

The Committee noted the amendment sheet.

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

The Principal Planner provided clarity on ownership of the land and what changes the property owner could  undertake without a specific planning permission under the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

The Committee expressed concerns about the visual impact of the proposed fencing on the street scene and the loss of an amenity that was currently enjoyed by local residents. 

The Committee:

Resolved (by 4 votes to 2 and 1 abstention) to reject the officer recommendation to approve the application.

Resolved (unanimously) to refuse the application contrary to the officer recommendation for the following reasons:

Both the change of use and the enclosure of the land with 1.8 metre high fencing would result in the loss of land which contributes to the openness and character of the area. The proposal would therefore have a harmful visual impact within the street scene, contrary to Policies 55, 56 and 59 of the Cambridge Local Plan 2018.