Agenda and draft minutes

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and other registrable and non-registrable interests they may have in relation to any item(s) of business on today’s agenda.

There were no disclosures of a pecuniary interest not already registered.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was none.

To consider the accompanying reports by the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport:

Erection of single storey rear extension, alterations to the main roof, installation of roof windows and associated alterations (retrospective).

Ward: Norbury Park

Recommendation: Grant permission

Erection of single storey rear extension, alterations to the main roof, installation of roof windows and associated alterations (retrospective).

Ward: Norbury Park

The officer presented details of the planning application and in response to members’ questions explained that:

• The original planning permission for the dwelling and garage included the access road, so there was extant planning permission for the use of the access road and the land at the front of the site for vehicles. 
• As the application solely related to alterations to the dwelling, it would be unreasonable to add a condition for the implementation of a bollard to ensure that the development would be car free.
• The access road was 3.2 metres wide, but the use of the access road had been compromised by the existing foliage which had narrowed the pathway; however, the foliage could be cut back to ensure that the access road remained 3.2 metres wide.
• The access road was 33 metres in length. The area in front of the dwelling was 6.9 metres wide and 28 metres in length. The area to the southeast of the site (the side elevation of the dwelling) was 6 metres wide and just over 11 metres deep so there was enough space for vehicles to turn, however, only a small vehicle could gain access due to the narrow width of the access road.
• The current application dealt solely with the land on the southwest of the site, the land to the northeast of the site had been sold off to a third party. The garage lay outside of the area which was being considered in the application. There had been an application in 1989 for a side extension to the main dwelling which had been approved an implemented. Officers did not have any further details between 1989 and the present day on how the site had been used.
• As the site had been granted consent for vehicles to use the access road in 1957, it would be unreasonable for officers to try and prevent this.
• There was a plan to use the access road for refuse storage on bin collection days. The refuse would be removed from the access road and taken back to the main dwelling once the collection had taken place. 

Paul Wright spoke in objection to the application, Zaheer Varyawa and Razin Omar spoke in support of the meeting. After the speakers had finished, the sub-committee began the deliberation, during which they raised the following points:

• The development was not unduly visible from the road.
• The increase in height of the proposed development was minimal.
• There were concerns regarding the access road, however, following advice from officers it was understood that this could not be considered as a reason for refusal.
• The were concerns that there were no lights proposed for the access road.
• There were no proposals on how the foliage would be managed along the access road.
• The proposal to leave the refuse bins in the middle of the access road for collection  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4/24

To consider the accompanying report by the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport:

Attached is the list of Delegated and Planning Committee/Subcommittee decisions taken between 12 February 2024 and 23 February 2024.

The report was received for information.