Agenda item

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

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) setting out the erection of eight apartments with lower ground floor car park following demolition of existing dwelling; erection of front boundary wall, gates and railings and side boundary walls and railings.

Members noted that the application site comprised a substantial two storey detached dwelling set within a large plot to the eastern side of Brookmans Avenue.  Brookmans Avenue was a wide and pleasant street of large detached dwellings on both sides of the road.  All properties had long frontages and were also set back from the carriageway by a generous verge.

A sloped access within the frontage of the site would lead vehicles to the underground car park accommodating a total of 15 spaces, together with domestic storage areas.  Three additional on-site car parking spaces would be provided in the front driveway area.

The application had been presented to the Development Management Committee because North Mymms Parish Council had responded with a major objection to the proposal, set as follows:

‘It is a massive development with the bulk, scale and size of the property being excessive in comparison with its neighbours. There are no front roof dormers in the street here and they are therefore out of keeping. Whilst underground parking is commendable it will be tricky to implement as the Avenue is fairly level at this point. It is a wide plot but the property height including the roof lanterns will exacerbate its apparent size. If the proposal was just a house it would still be over-development. The provision of car parking verges on inadequate as noted by another respondent and the suggestion that the road is used for over-spill is inappropriate. Balconies at the rear will overlook neighbouring properties and affect privacy.’

Mr P.Hughes, (agent) speaking in support of the application, referred to the support he had received, in principle, from Officers and the proposed development would reflect the character of the existing properties in the road.

Mr G. Nicholas (objector) speaking against the application on behalf of other residents in Brookmans Avenue referred to the intensification and overdevelopment of the site. The proposed development was uncharacteristic of the area and would set a precedent. When finished the building would be unduly dominant, would overlook neighbouring properties and there was an increased potential for on-street parking.

Parish Councillor Jacqui Boulton, speaking against the application, reiterated the major objections put forward by the North Mymms Parish Council.

Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor H.Bromley, seconded by Councillor A.Chesterman and

RESOLVED:

(8 voting for, 4 against and 1 abstention)

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

The development/works shall not be started and completed other than in accordance with the approved plans and details:

POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE STATEMENT

The decision has been made taking into account, where practicable and appropriate the requirements of paragraph 38 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).