Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for the demolition of the existing property and erection of a replacement two storey detached dwelling with a garage at the front of the property set off the western boundary. The replacement dwelling would be a substantial property with an ‘L’ shaped layout and the appearance of an Edwardian architectural style.

 

Ms Xuereb (Applicant) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Councillor Matthews (Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application:

i.                On first seeing the plans two main points stood out for me that are also the main source of objections:

a.    The size of the proposed house in relation to the site and the neighbouring property 4 Clarkson Close.

b.    The impact of development on the Adams Road Bird Sanctuary (a county wildlife site).

ii.               The Officer’s report addressed the potential impacts on the Bird Sanctuary and was content that the detailed ecological report is sound and there will not be any significant negative impacts.

iii.             On the subject of size:

a.    Having viewed the site it should be noted that the plans and design statement don’t show just how big  4 Clarkson Close is compared to the existing dwelling on the application site, and how much 4 Clarkson Close currently dominates.

b.    As things stand, neither property has privacy where they face each other. The proposed plans fix this by adding to the natural screening and removing all direct visibility between habitable rooms.

c.    4 Clarkson Close would retain its view of the  garden to 1 Clarkson Close and of the trees backing onto Trinity Old Field and  have a good view of the trees on Clarkson Close.

d.    The new plans mean the footprint of  1 Clarkson Close will match the footprint of 4 Clarkson Close.

iv.             The Applicants have been in constant conversation with officers in order to address these issues and others. They have shown they’re willing to compromise and take on board ideas that improve both1 and 4 Clarkson Close.

v.              Please support the officer’s recommendation in approving this application.

 

Councillor Nethsingha (Ward County Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application:

i.                Had concerns about size and scale.

ii.               The Applicant was trying to manage the relationship with  4 Clarkson Close.

iii.             1 and 4 Clarkson Close was formerly owned by the same family but were no longer.

iv.             Relations between the properties should be fair to both 1 and 4 Clarkson Close.

v.              The Officer’s report addressed the Councillor’s wildlife concerns.

 

Councillor Porrer proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation to include an informative concerning air source heat pumps.

 

This amendment was carried unanimously by all Members present (7 votes to 0).

 

The Committee:

 

Unanimously resolved by all Members present (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’s report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the Officer including the informative relating to air source heat pumps.

 

Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2015 permitted development rights were granted to the development of ground source or air source heat pumps for dwelling houses and flats. The MCS Planning Standards were developed to act as a resource for this and contains the requirements, including noise prediction methodologies, that ground source or air source heat pumps must comply with to be permitted development under the above Act. Development would not be permitted development if it failed to comply with The MCS Planning Standards. It would be a reasonable step to require that any new ground source or air source heat pump complies with the MCS Planning Standards. This should ensure that internal and external noise levels are kept to a reasonable level at any nearby residential premises.

 

The granting of permission and or any permitted development rights for any Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) does not indemnify any action that may be required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for statutory noise nuisance. Should substantiated noise complaints be received in the future regarding the operation and running of an air source heat pump and it is considered a statutory noise nuisance at neighbouring premises a noise abatement notice will be served. It is likely that noise insulation/attenuation measures such as an acoustic enclosure and/or barrier would need to be installed to the unit in order to reduce noise emissions to an acceptable level. To avoid noise complaints it is recommended that operating sound from the ASHP does not increase the existing background noise levels by more than 3dB (BS 4142 Rating Level - to effectively match the existing background noise level) at the boundary of the development site and should be free from tonal or other noticeable acoustic features.

 

Delegated authority given to Officers to draft the informative in consultation with the Chair and Spokes.