Issue - decisions

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for the provision of 5 no. self-contained flats comprised of:

       i.          The conversion of No. 48 to form 3 no. self-contained flats including internal and external works to the Listed Building.

     ii.          The erection of a single storey building to provide 1 no. self-contained flat fronting Willow Walk, following removal of the car parking bays.

   iii.          Demolition of the existing garage and the erection of 1 no self-contained studio-flat.

   iv.          Associated landscaping and access arrangements.

 

Public speakers spoke about 16/1942/FUL and 16/1943/LBC at the same time.

 

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a local resident.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          Referred to a previous iteration of the planning application currently being considered by the Planning Inspector. The current application may be replaced by the previous iteration if the refusal decision was over turned.

     ii.          Referred to previous residents’ comments on 48 New Square applications. Queried if the new application was an improvement on the last.

   iii.          Expressed the following concerns:

a.    Unattractive design.

b.    Sense of enclosure.

   iv.          The application needed to be unobtrusive if approved eg hidden by a wall. The character of Willow Walk needed to be preserved.

 

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

 

Councillor Gillespie (Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          Willow Walk is a Conservation Area.

     ii.          This application was an improvement on the last design but there were still some concerns:

a.    Location of the boundary wall.

b.    The ‘rejected’ previous application may be built if the Planning Inspector over turned the refusal decision.

c.    Light pollution from roof windows.

d.    Construction vehicles may access New Square through Willow Walk if the application were granted. Willow Walk is not suitable for heavy traffic.

e.    The site was difficult to access/travel to by car/bike.

 

Councillor Bick (Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          Willow Walk residents preferred no development on site.

     ii.          This scheme was an improvement on the unacceptable previous one, but there were still some concerns eg the unattractive design.

   iii.          Queried the Applicant’s intention about which planning application would be implemented if approved (this or the last one being considered by the Planning Inspector).

   iv.          Made the following requests:

a.    The boundary wall should be solid not permeated with vents etc.

b.    Light sensitive blinds to prevent light pollution.

c.    Willow Walk is a private road. Construction traffic access to New Square should be controlled by condition as the road was not adopted by the Highways Authority.

d.    New planting to replace trees removed from the site. This should match the number of trees removed and improve on the quality of site trees.

e.    Condition approval of the site releases family accommodation elsewhere, to take advantage of the Applicant’s offer.

 

Councillor Blencowe proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation that no ventilation and extraction equipment shall be installed on the northern elevation of the building fronting Willow Walk, unless full details have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

This amendment was carried nem con.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (by 7 votes to 1) 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 with the following additional condition:

 

No vents, pipes, flues, exhausts, and other ventilation and extraction equipment shall be installed on the northern elevation of the building fronting Willow Walk, unless full details have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and shall thereafter be installed only in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: To avoid harm to the special interest of the Conservation Area and the setting of Listed Buildings (Cambridge Local Plan 2006 policies 4/10 and 4/11).