Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for the erection of a loft conversion with side dormer, roof windows and front and rear gable end windows and the conversion of the garage roof with roof windows and front gable windows.

 

The Area Development Manager updated the Senior Planner’s report by referring to revised condition wording in her presentation regarding obscure glazing in the dormer window (in perpetuity).

 

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a resident of Conduit Head Road:

      i.          Spoke as Custodian on the special character and nature of Conduit Head Road Conservation Area wildlife, flora, fauna, biodiversity and darkness.

     ii.          Took issue with the Applicant’s responses to objections.

   iii.          Residents’ concerns were supported by council officers and accorded with Cambridge Nature and Conduit Head Road Conservation.

   iv.          Thought the application conflicted with Cambridge City Council biodiversity initiative 2019 to encourage, prioritise, protect and enhance habitat creation.

    v.          Residents wanted to protect the singular Conduit Head space for day-time creatures and nocturnal creatures. Orchard House “nature reserve” is protected, private, fully dedicated, designated land. It was managed in accordance with conservation of flora and fauna. Its woodland, stream and ponds were quiet and undisturbed particularly when dark; and integral with a wildlife corridor and darkness linking hedges, fields and woodland habitats.

   vi.          Residents don’t have to create habitat, establish or restore the natural environment; just protect what was in place from artificial light.

 vii.          The proposal would adversely impact the surrounding diverse ecology, which is why residents object to any north roof windows due to concerns about light pollution and overlooking their land.

viii.          Artificial roof lighting would impact and disrupt nocturnal wildlife, interfering with natural patterns and feeding behaviour. Requested the Planning Committee referred to Biodiversity Officer (Guy Belcher) and Councillor Payne who had visited this site and agreed it needed protecting from light emission.

   ix.          The proposal was in keeping with Bradrushe Fields street scene, but not in keeping with Conduit Head’s rural character as one of the few remaining dark, quiet, private, sparsely populated historic Conservation Areas in Cambridge. Artificial light in Conduit Head was heavily screened with large mature gardens.

    x.          Did not object to the loft conversion. Objected to the side dormer and four north facing roof windows. Black-out blinds would not mitigate light pollution from these, nor did they fit into context.

 

Mrs Thomson (Applicant) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

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

i.                Wished to highlight to the Committee the unique character of Conduit Head Road and surrounds (which connect on to Bradrushe Fields) amongst residential areas in Cambridge. The road and the properties on it (some of which border 3 Bradrushe Fields) are a very dark area due to the lack of street lighting and the separation between houses. If you ever visit at night you will be struck by how dark and still it is. It is no wonder that nocturnal wildlife, in particular bats, thrive there.

ii.               This new development, which might introduce new light, needed to be carefully judged to help preserve the dark character of the area and avoid disturbing wildlife. Members should carefully consider the adverse impact light from this planned development may have in making their  decision.

 

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

i.                Had sympathy with the Applicant's reason for this application and was sorry the need for it to go through Committee has caused a disruption to their works.  

ii.               The reason she called this item into Committee was due to concerns raised by a neighbouring resident about the impact of the light from the windows on the woodland at Orchard House.  Councillor Payne had not appreciated the extent and value of this woodland until going to visit the site and I would like to take the opportunity to convey that to the Committee so it forms part of their consideration.  The wooded area was an exceptional area of natural forest, which was home to a number of wildlife including bats and newts.  It was so different to a landscape one would expect in a residential area that she would simply ask the Committee to be sure they are fully aware of this before making their decision.

 

Councillor Porrer proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation to include an informative requiring blinds to prevent light spillage.

 

This amendment was carried unanimously 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, subject to:

      i.          the planning conditions set out in the Officer’s report;

     ii.          an additional condition requiring obscure glazing in the dormer window (in perpetuity);

   iii.          an additional informative requiring blinds to prevent light spillage;

   iv.          delegated authority given to Officers to draft the conditions and informative in consultation with the Chair and Spokes.