Demolition of existing garage
and shed fronting Riddlesdown Road,
alterations to land levels, erection of dwellinghouse (over two
floors) and associated parking, cycle storage and refuse
storage.
Ward: Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown
The officer presented details
of the planning application and in response to members’
questions explained that:
- The neighbouring
property was the most similar property to the proposed development
at the site in terms of size, design and
width along Riddlesdown
Avenue.
- Several of the
properties along Riddlesdown Avenue
were considered contemporary, due to the materials used to finish
off the design of the development.
- The changes in the
level of the land were being used to achieve the two-storey
design.
- The highways team had
been consulted and considered £10,000 was a reasonable level
of contribution for the work to be carried out along the road. The
work would include resurfacing potholes and improvements to the
street lighting.
- This single
development was proposing £10,000 to be added to the fund
whilst previous developments had contributed £10,000 per
unit.
- The window-to-window
distance of the upper floors is 18m which was policy
compliant.
- The boundary fence
would prevent overlooking from the ground floor.
- Policy DM10 had a
requirement of a minimum length of 10m not to be (directly)
overlooked and no less than half of the previous garden length had
to be maintained, which the proposed development was compliant
with.
- The layout of the
existing property included a garage and a parking space. An access
path would be maintained down the side of the property as there was
a parking space for the existing property and one for the proposed
development.
- The highways team had
undertaken viability studies on what was achievable. With the money
that had been pooled from the other developments on the street, the
highways team consider they should have accumulated enough funds to
fix the potholes in the road, the lighting on the street and the
implementation of a one-way road.
- The highways team
needed to liaise with residents regarding the conversion of the
access road to a one-way street.
- The £10,000
contribution had been negotiated and this was considered
appropriate for the scale of development being
proposed.
- The refuse collection
for the proposed development would be undertaken at the front of
the site, whilst the existing property had its own collection
arrangements.
The Riddlesdown Residents' Association submitted a
written statement in objection to the application which was read
out by the clerk and Councillor Stewart addressed the Committee
with his views on the application. After the speakers had finished,
the sub-committee began the deliberation, during which they raised
the following points:
- The precedent for
gentle densification had already been set with previous
developments.
- Passing vehicles had
damaged grass areas along the road.
- The provision of two
parking spaces on the site was appreciated.
- The design was in
keeping with the area.
- The greater transport
contribution was appreciated.
- The contemporary
nature of the development was not liked by some Members; however,
it was accepted that it was in keeping with the other properties on
that side of the road.
- The application would
provide an additional home to the area.
- The scope for
biodiversity would need to be investigated further.
The substantive motion to GRANT
the application based on the officer’s recommendation was
proposed by Councillor Kabir. This was seconded by Councillor
Fraser.
The motion to grant the
application was taken to a vote and carried with six Members voting
in favour.
The Committee RESOLVED to GRANT
the application for the development at 30 Riddlesdown Avenue, Purley, CR8 1JG.