Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for conversion and extensions to the existing buildings including demolition of the existing block to the rear of 1 Godesdone Road to deliver a mixed use development comprising a ground floor retail space and 12 1xbed residential units (net increase 9) to the rear and above along with cycle parking and associated infrastructure.

The Committee Manager read out the following points on behalf of Councillor Davies (Abbey Ward Councillor):

i.                Residents' comments on this application raise several important points, which I would urge this committee to seriously consider today.

ii.               Several comments related to overshadowing. The residents of 3 Godesdone Road comment that the increase in height of the rear section of the brick wall would block the already limited light to their garden. These concerns would relate directly to Local Plan policy 60 b [given the conservation area] and 60 d, and 57 b. Further, another resident notes that the windows on the West elevation above Unit 7 and in Unit 11 appear to overlook part of the gardens of neighbouring houses in Godesdone Road.

iii.             Neighbours have also raised concerns that reducing the courtyard wall would allow for further views of the stairwell in the Travel Lodge. This concern is acknowledged in the officer’s report. Again, this should be considered by the planning committee in relation to the conservation area and the impact on local residential amenity, including under Policy 58.

iv.             Regarding car parking, no on-site car parking provision is made as part of the proposed development. A resident notes that the number of single person dwellings increases the likelihood of a high number of cars.

v.              Noted that several Godesdone Rd residents have contacted me recently with concerns about unauthorised parking taking place within the residents' parking zone. I would highlight here that Godesdone Road is currently undergoing significant changes due to development and will surely be negatively impacted by the easyHotel, including through increased parking pressure. These traffic issues should not be further exacerbated.

vi.             A number of residents are clearly concerned that the lack of parking provision for this number of units would exacerbate the existing problems and those bound to occur in the near future.

vii.           I would also note the comments of the disability panel, which are clear that of changes could be made to make the proposed development more accessible. If permission is granted, I would urge in the strongest terms that the Disability Panel's recommendations be taken on board

The Committee:

Resolved (1 votes to 4) to reject the Officer recommendation to approve the application.

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

      i.          The overall level of amenity for future occupants would be poor and would result in cramped living environment. The scheme failed to demonstrate that it is not practicable to provide an acceptable quality and quantity of internal and external amenity space for future occupiers’ contrary to policy 50 & 58 CLP 2018.

     ii.          The proposed retained buildings would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area by virtue of the scheme’s design. Public benefit to provide an additional residential unit and the improvement to the residential amenity of No3 Godesdone Road would not outweigh the ? conservation area, policy 61 of the CLP 2018 and NPPF paragraph 2021.