Recommendation:  Refusal

Proposal:  Householder application for the proposed erection of single storey sides and rear extension following the demolition of existing annex plus part two storey side extension to dwelling.

Applicant:  Mrs Erin Barber

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in Agenda pages 235 to 259.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included: 

·         A correction to the section of the report regarding the maximum permitted volume increase being 35%.  The report should read that the current increase from the original volume was 47%, and that the development would result in the total volume increasing to 52.4%.

A site visit had been undertaken.

Jeremy Spratley, agent, spoke in favour of the application.  He commented that no objections had been received from the Parish Council or other residents and that the proposed extension would have less of an impact than should the certificate of lawfulness already granted be implemented.

The Chairman read out a statement of behalf of Councillor John Halsall, Ward Member.  Councillor Halsall stated that the certificate of lawfulness already granted would have a greater impact on the surrounding area and that a common sense approach was required.

In response to comments from Members, the Operational Development Management Lead Officer stated that the proposal was by definition harmful to the Green Belt due to the proposed volume increase. 

Members commented that the site was not overlooked and no objections had been received.  Some Members were of the view that the proposed design of the extension was sympathetic to the host dwelling, that significant harm would not be caused and that there would not be an impact on neighbours.  It was also felt that the potential implementation of the certificate of lawfulness already granted created very special circumstances which would outweigh the harm to the Green Belt. 

Councillor Philip Houldsworth proposed that the application be approved on the grounds of special circumstances, which would outweigh the harm identified.  This was seconded by Councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey.

RESOLVED: That application 173515 be approved subject to a mechanism to ensure that the certificate of lawfulness permission not be implemented.