Issue - meetings

200893

Meeting: 08/07/2020 - Planning Committee (Item 5)

5 Application No.200893 - 15 The Drive, Earley, RG6 1EG pdf icon PDF 347 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Carl Doran declared a prejudicial interest in this item and therefore took no part in the discussion or voting

 

Proposal:Householder application for the proposed first floor side and rear extension to existing dwelling and single storey rear extension (part-retrospective)

 

Applicant: Mrs Noor Khan

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 31 to 54.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included a correction to page 31 of the officer report to state that the site was within the Bulmershe and Whitegates Ward.

 

In line with the given deadlines, two public written submissions were received for this item. These submissions were circulated to Members in advance, and noted on the evening. The submissions as provided can be found below.

 

ACER Residents’ Association provided the following statement in objection to the application:

 

1.    “– ACER’s is concerned to maintain the character of Whitegates which is predominantly separated semi-detached houses with sloping hip-end roofs.

 

  1. To build houses too close to each other and omit the sloping roofs causes a terracing effect

 

  1. Whitegates streets are characterised by green frontages.  Removal of all greenery in front gardens changes the character of a street

 

  1. To build the side extension less than the minimum distance to the boundary is unacceptable as it contributes to a terracing effect. 

 

  1. The side extension adjacent to the house shows a vertical gable end construction.  This vertical end would give rise to a terracing effect which is unacceptable.

 

  1. It should be noted that if the pitched roof of the main extension was continued all the way along its length, then the main house would end up with a hip end roof, which would be in keeping with the character of the area. Please see marked up drawing TDE:007.

 

  1. The Borough Design Guide states that the rhythm of buildings and the gaps between them are important to the character of the area, which is valued by the residents.

 

  1. Similar roof conversions have been rejected when applied for under local Planning procedures as they were not in character, including 192998 at 5 Byron Road

 

  1. Should the Committee be inclined to Approve, the following conditions are requested:

i)     The gap to the boundary should be a minimum of 1 metre. There is no reason given as to why it should be less. 

 

ii)    The pitched roof profile of the extension should extend along the full length of the property.  This has no effect on the internal accommodation but has the benefit of returning the main property to a hip end. 

 

iii)    Reinstate soft landscapingin the front garden which is tall enough to be seen when travelling down The Drive.  This would maintain the character of the area in line with CP3 and assist with the green environmental emergency measures declared by WBC.”

 

Shirley Boyt, Ward Member, provided to following statement in objection to the application:

 

There are 58 dwellings in The Drive.

 

All are 1930s semi-detached except for three newly built detached and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5