It was RESOLVED that application 23/00107/OPM – 18 North Road, Stevenage, Herts be REFUSED for the following reasons:
1. The proposed development, by reason of its scale and siting, would unduly deprive the occupants of 4 Daltry Road of natural light, resulting in dark, gloomy, and ultimately intolerable living conditions. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy GD1 of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2019, the Council’s Design Guide SPD (2023) and the aims and objectives of chapter 12 of the NPPF 2023.
2. The proposed development, by reason of its scale and siting, would cause excessive noise throughout the construction and operational phases, resulting in intolerable living conditions for the occupants of 4 Daltry Road. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies GD1 and FP7 of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2019 and the aims and objectives of chapter 12 of the NPPF 2023.
3. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposed development would adequately deal with surface water runoff, which could result in increased flood risk to the site itself and elsewhere. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies FP11 and SP2 of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2019 and the aims and objectives of chapter 14 of the NPPF 2023.
4. The proposed development, by reason of the layout of the balcony and fenestration, and proximity to the shared boundary, would unduly deprive the occupants of 20 Daltry Road of privacy, resulting in unacceptable living conditions. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy GD1 of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2019 and the aims and objectives of Chapter 12 of the NPPF 2023.