Agenda item

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

The report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) setting out the application for a variation to the wording of Condition 3 of planning permission: 6/2016/0596/HOUSE. 

The Chairman reminded Members that the application property had recently been extended under planning permission: 6/2016/0596/HOUSE. The shape and size was not for consideration.  It was the changes to the pre-existing external materials of the property which were the subject of this application. 

Condition 3 stated:

The brickwork, roof tile, bond, mortar, detailing, guttering, soffits and other external decorations of the approved extension/alterations must match the existing dwelling/building in relation to colour and texture.

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory standard of development in the interests of visual amenity in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies D1 and D2 of the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan 2005.

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council has objected to the application to vary Condition 3.

Officers informed the Committee that following a review the Council were strengthening and amending the wording of the planning condition attached to planning permissions relating to materials to make this precise. 

Mr Hassan Djaffer (Agent) spoke in support of the application.

Diane Draper (Objector) spoke against the application.

Northaw and Cuffley Parish Councillor Andrea Allgood, spoke against the application.

Members expressed the following views during the discussion which ensued.

•        A dislike of retrospective applications.

•        Condition 3 was very specific with regards to the materials which were to be used under the original application.

•        Any new materials used should match those of the original building to protect the visual amenity of the area. 

•        The materials used in the proposed retrospective development was not in keeping with the neighbouring properties.

•        This was a material breach of Condition 3 attached to the original planning permission. 

•        Condition 3 should have been adhered to and enforcement undertaken.

Officers, in response to a further question from Members, Officers advised that the current application addressed the windows and roof and not the render.

It was moved by Councillor J.Beckerman, seconded by Councillor N.Pace and lost, 4 votes for and 10 against, against the Officer’s recommendation that planning permission be approved subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report for a variation to the wording of Condition 3 of planning permission: S6/2014/2388/FP. 

It was then moved by Councillor F.Thompson, seconded by Councillor J.Weston and

RESOLVED:

(10 voting for and 4 against)

That planning permission for application 60 Homewood Avenue, Cuffley, Potters Bar, EN6 4QR - 6/2017/0887/VAR notwithstanding the Officer’s recommendation for approval be overturned and refused for the following reason.

The render, roof tile, windows and other external decoration of the extended dwelling together with the lack of any brickwork fails to reflect the character and appearance of the original dwelling and existing streetscene.  The proposal represents a discordant feature contrary to Policies D1 and D2 and Statement of Council Policy, Supplementary Design Guidance February 2005 and that National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE STATEMENT

The decision has been made taking into account, where practicable and appropriate the requirements of paragraphs 186-187 of the National Planning Policy Framework and material planning considerations do not justify a decision contrary to the development plan (see Officer’s report which can be viewed on the Council's website or inspected at these offices).

REFUSED DRAWING NUMBERS