Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for two storey side, front and rear extension including dormer window with Juliet balcony to the side; raised terrace with balustrading above to front and new bay window to other side

(report attached)

  Plans, photographs and drawings showing the current application and previous consented schemes were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  The Panel’s Lead Officer presented the report which sought retrospective permission for extensions to Dene Cottage, Linton Lane, Wetherby, which was situated in a Conservation Area

  Members were informed that a peculiarity of the site was that the rear of Dene Cottage was the front of the adjacent house, The Willows, and that this was an important consideration in understanding the application

  Members noted that unauthorised works had been carried out on the property and initially the applicant had not ceased work but had now done so

  A particular issue was the impact the extensions, which were at an advanced stage, had on the amenity of the residents of The Willows

  Whilst the extension to the front of the house which had been constructed was similar in scale and form to what had been granted planning permission in 2004 and 2009, there were elevational differences.  It was set out that it could be contended that the extension to the rear did not comply with the Householder Design Guide in respect of how the impact of an extension, on the amenity of neighbours was assessed.  Members were informed that in respect of this, although the proposals contravened the letter of the Code, Officers were of the view that due to a number of other factors, this was a balanced decision and were recommending approval of the application.  It was noted that the Conservation Officer’s view differed from that of Planning Officers

  The receipt of 15 further letters of support were reported

  The Panel heard representations from an objector who attended the meeting

  Panel then discussed the application and commented on the following matters:

·  the rear boundary treatment which would help screen the extension from The Willows and that although a condition had been placed on the retention of this in the 2009 application, this had not been included in the current scheme

·  that the 2009 scheme was more suitable as it was subservient to the host property, unlike what had been constructed on site

·  that whilst Planning Officers might express a view to an applicant on a planning application this could only be an initial view as the planning process provided the opportunity for public consultation on the proposals, including representations both in support and against an application

·  concerns about the rear extensions and its impact on The Willows

The Panel’s Lead Officer stated that whilst the Head of Planning Services had been asked by the applicant to give an initial view on the proposals and had done so, without prejudice to the determination of any planning application that might be submitted, the applicant had been somewhat premature and had commenced the works

Members considered how to proceed

RESOLVED -  That determination of the application be deferred to enable further negotiations regarding the projection of the extension with a view to making this more subservient to the host dwelling and to reduce the impact on the neighbouring dwelling and that a further report be presented to Panel in due course, for determination of the application