Agenda item

The report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) sets out appeal against the refusal of Estate Management (EM) Consent for the replacement of a polycarbonate conservatory roof with lightweight tiled roof.

Councillor H.Bromley declared none pecuniary interest and left the Council Chamber and took no part in the discussion on this application.

The report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) set out an appeal against the refusal of Estate Management (EM) consent for the replacement of a polycarbonate conservatory roof with lightweight tiled roof. 

The appeal site is a two storey mid terrace dwelling house, located on the eastern side of Howicks Green; close to the junction with Howlands.  The property has an existing conservatory with a pitched, polycarbonate roof at the rear of the property.  The application property is located in a row of eight terraced houses.  The report noted that there was one other rear conservatory within the terraces.  The rear of this terrace and the application property has open public views from Queen Avenue at the rear.

The applicant was present and spoke on the proposal to replace polycarbonate conservatory roof with lightweight tiled roof improving energy consumption, heat control and helping to eliminating light pollution at night.  It would also tone in better with the greens and browns of the surrounding trees and the summer house roof in the garden.  Consideration was given to the access road at the rear of the property and views of the conservatory roof; it was noted that visibility was limited as there is a six foot fence.  The appellant mentioned that the QEII land sold to Bellway Housing; the properties had not been built in keeping with the character and appearance of the neighbouring and surrounding properties of the area.  Officers explained that the QEII development was not located within the EMS so it could not be compared with the proposed development.  The case had been advanced by the appellant in support of their appeal.  This included a photograph of an example of solid roof on a conservatory but it was not known where this photograph was taken whether it was within the EMS area.

A discussion ensued on the proposed ‘lightweight tiled’ roof rather than the polycarbonate panels it was agreed that use of modern materials be accepted in this location due to the limited visibility of the roof. The Panel was concerned to ensure that any similar proposals in this terrace would then be required to use matching materials.

It was moved by Councillor A.Chesterman, seconded by Councillor L.Musk and

RESOLVED

(unanimous)

The original refusal was overturned as Members considered that due to the limited visibility of the roof, the proposed change in material would maintain the values and amenities of the Estate Management area, in accordance with Policy EM1. This was subject to the inclusion of the following condition, as well as the standard Estate Management Scheme conditions:

“No development shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the roof of the conservatory have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council.  The development must be implemented using the approved materials and subsequently, the approved materials must not be changed.

REASON:   To protect the character and appearance of the original building and the amenities of the area in accordance with the requirements of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 Estate Management Scheme for Welwyn Garden City with particular regard to Policy EM1.”