Agenda item

Erection of a two storey side and rear extension

Officers presented the application which sought permission to add a two storey extension to the side of the property and a first floor flat roofed extension to the rear of the property above the existing flat roofed utility room.  The extension would provide enlarged kitchen and living accommodation at ground floor level and two new bedrooms and bathroom area at first floor level.

Members were referred to the photograph on page 24 of the Site Plans and Presentations pack which showed the position and layout of the host property, and it was noted that properties on Granby Close have in curtilage or off street parking.

A number of objections had been received as detailed on page 17 of the agenda pack.  Officers had carefully assessed the application and found it to be acceptable in terms of design, with the extension being subservient to the host property. Officers were also satisfied that the specific elements of the application would not give rise to any harm to the character and appearance of the dwelling or the visual amenities of the area.

With regard to parking and highways issues, the increase in size of the property from two bedrooms to four bedrooms would lead to an increased requirement for provision of in curtilage parking.  Worcestershire County Council‘s streetscape design guide would require a four bedroomed property to provide three parking spaces.

The applicant was proposing to add an additional parking space by removing the existing hedge in the front garden to create a third space parallel to the carriageway as indicated on the plan on page 30 of the Site Plans and Presentations Pack.  Whilst this configuration would achieve a third space, officers noted that technically it was not in compliance with the highways standards as the vehicle in the third space would not be able to enter and exit at 90 degrees from the carriageway.

Officers had therefore gone on to consider the policy requirement that development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety.  In this regard given that Granby Close was a quiet cul-de-sac with in curtilage parking, very little on street parking and no on street parking restrictions in place, officers did not believe the configuration of parking spaces proposed by the applicant would result in any unacceptable impact on highway safety.

The application was recommended for approval.

In response to questions from Member, officers clarified that the applicant would be required under the conditions to provide the reconfigured parking spaces at the front of the property in accordance with the plan on page 30.

In debating the application Members noted the situation regarding parking provision but believed that this mitigated by the layout of the road which was sufficiently wide with the application site being some distance from the closest junction.  It was also noted that traffic in the area was not busy and that there were two off carriage way parking bays located nearby.  Overall Members were not of the view that the development would be overbearing or that the parking arrangement would give rise to highway safety issues.

RESOLVED that

Having regard to the development plan and all other material considerations, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out on pages 19 to 20 of the agenda.