Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the erection of mansard roof and dormers to accommodate 2 x two bedroom flats.

The application site was located on the north side of Dellsome Lane within the specified settlement of Welham Green. The immediate area had a mixed character comprising, residential, retail and commercial buildings. To the east of the site was a three storey apartment block, to the west was Welham Green Service Station, adjoining the site to rear to the north west were the gardens of Nos.5 to 8 Old Farmhouse Mews and to the north east were the rear gardens of Nos.74 to 80 Vincenzo Close.

The site comprised a three storey building accommodating 10 flats (6 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 1 bedroom) with vehicle access which passed beneath the first and second floor along the south eastern boundary to parking at the rear of the site with 14 spaces and a communal amenity area.

This application was presented to the Development Management Committee because a Major Objection had been received from North Mymms Parish Council and Councillor Paul Zukowskyj had called-in the application.

The reason Councillor Paul Zukowskyj had called-in this application was as follows:

“As background to this, the original development had Juliet balconies as a limitation to reduce overlooking of adjacent properties rear gardens, this was amended late in the day to full balconies which have subsequently been problematic for local residents. A further increase in height and consequent overlooking will be deeply concerning for local residents and the cumulative impact of this alongside the permitted balconies of the exiting flats will be severe in impacting local resident’s amenity.”

North Mymms Parish Council had objected to the proposal on the following grounds:

"North Mymms Parish Council have a major objection to this proposal. It would be over dominant in the street scene at this location. There is an apartment development opposite with mansard roof but that is in scale with its neighbours. This proposal is not. It would be intrusive for neighbours to the side and rear and their privacy lessened as higher flats would have direct view into these 2 storey houses. Drawing 490619/02 is misleading as the ridge of the neighbouring block of flats is shown higher than is actual. This is an inappropriate proposal to raise another floor to this already dominant building in the location in which it sits.”

Mr P.Roseman, agent, spoke for the application saying that the original application had been approved in 2013. As stated in the Officers report, it was not considered to be overlooking neighbouring properties.

Councillor L.Saffer, North Mymms Parish Council, spoke against the application saying that the development would be over dominant in the street scene and that there was no other properties in the area which had a mansard roof. The development would impact the neighbours and was considered over development of the area.

(Note: Councillor J.Cragg left the meeting at 9.15pm and returned at 9.19pm. Councillor J.Cragg did not participate in the vote).

Following discussion, it was proposed and seconded by Councillors J.Broach and F.Marsh and

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

That planning permission be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out in report.

Revised Revision Drawing to be included.

Amend drawings numbers;

490619/02 B Existing and Proposed Elevation 18 September 2019

490619/04 B Proposed Floor Plans 7 November 2019

To;

490619/02 C Existing and Proposed Elevation 25 November 2019

490619/04 D Proposed Floor Plans 25 November 2019