Issue - meetings

To consider the erection of 3 no. 3 bedroom dwellinghouses with associated parking, landscaping, access and ancillary works.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as per the recommendations set out in the report.

The Committee considered an application for the erection of 3 no. 3 bedroom dwellinghouses with associated parking, landscaping, access and ancillary works.

The application was before the Committee for determination as the applicant and landowner was Stevenage Borough Council and there had been more than 5 objections to the application.

The Senior Planning Officer gave an introduction to the Committee.  She advised that the application for the dwellings and associated parking was on Council land which had been designated as an informal area of public open space.  The existing communal parking bay would be retained in-situ and remain unchanged.

The Chair introduced Mr Justin Mills, Contour Planning, who would be speaking on behalf of residents who had objected to the application, to the Committee to address the meeting.  He advised that the application site offered a contribution to the street scene and wildlife and was an area for local people to use and children to play.  The application would have a detrimental impact on the environment and neighbouring properties and would be contrary to policy HO5 in the Council’s Local Plan.  The application also failed to comply with the separation distance standards between dwellings at ground floor levels. 

The Chair then invited Councillor Margaret Notley, Woodfield Ward Councillor to address the meeting.  Councillor Notley concurred with the comments made by Mr Mills and advised that the style of housing was out of keeping with the existing properties.  She also expressed concern regarding the loss of the green space in the area.

The Chair thanked both of the speakers for their contributions.

The Senior Planning Officer advised the Committee that the main issues for consideration in the determination of the application were the acceptability of the proposal in land use policy terms, both as a windfall housing site and loss of amenity space; design and impact on the character and visual amenity of the area, amenity of future occupiers and neighbouring properties and highways access and parking provision.

Members were advised that the issues considered were consistent with the most recent revision of the NPPF.  The Council was required to apply the tilted balance in favour of sustainable development by reason of its housing delivery position.

Officers advised that the proposed development would result in the delivery of 3no. three bedroom dwellings, making a small, but significant contribution towards meeting the Borough’s housing needs and the scheme would provide a good standard of accommodation which carried significant weight in favour of the proposal.

In the Officer’s opinion, the proposal was acceptable  in terms of the impact on the amenities of neighbouring occupiers, the collection of waste and recycling, appearance and the proposed car parking and cycle parking.

In relation to the loss of public open space, the Committee was advised that the loss of the area of informal open space was justified having regard to the quality and accessibility of the open space and whether alternate spaces would remain available for community use.  The benefits of providing additional housing were considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3