Agenda item - BH2014/01209 -119 Portland Road, Hove - Full Planning

Erection of 1no two bedroom house (C3) with alterations to side elevation of existing building.

RECOMMENDATION – REFUSE

(1)          The Area Planning Manager, Nicola Hurley gave a presentation detailing the scheme by reference to elevational drawings and site plans showing the existing and proposed scheme and photographs. Permission was sought for the erection of 1 two bedroom house (C3) with alterations to the side elevation of the existing building.

(2)          The scheme was considered inappropriate as the proposal would result in an incongruous and unsympathetic addition which would stand out in the street scene as an inappropriate feature. It was also considered to be overdevelopment of the site and the proposed alterations to the host property, which would be detrimental to its appearance due to the scale and bulk of the building adjacent to the boundary, meant the scheme resulted in a detrimental impact on the amenity of 117A Portland Road in terms of loss of outlook and light and an increased sense of enclosure. Having regard to the proposed layout of the ground floor of the house, the scheme did not provide a suitable standard of accommodation. The proposed outside amenity area was deemed inadequate in terms of its size and positioning and is not suitable for a family sized house. Refusal was therefore recommended.

Public Speaker(s) and Questions

(3)          Mr Lumba the applicant spoke in support of his application stating that he had amended and reduced the size and scale of the development, now a two rather than 3 bedroom house, which had been carefully designed in order not to be out of scale with neighbouring buildings. His current shop premises was too large and he was seeking to reduce it and to increase its profitability.

Questions for Officers

(4)          Councillor Davey sought clarification of the changes between this scheme, that which had been previously refused and the existing  building.

(5)          Councillor Hyde asked whether the existing ground floor of the building had been extended previously and sought confirmation of the configuration of the ground floor flat.

(6)          Councillor Littman asked for detail regarding where the existing plant would be relocated.

(7)          Councillor Jones enquired regarding the dimensions and floorspace of the proposed units.

Debate and Decision Making Process

(8)          Councillor Davey stated that whilst he had some sympathy for the applicant he considered that the scheme sought to cram too much onto a restricted site.

(9)          Councillor Wells did not agree considering that any one renting or buying the proposed units would make their own assessment regarding the size of the accommodation. He considered the scheme was acceptable.

(10)       A vote was taken and of the 11 Members present when the vote was taken planning permission was refused on a vote of 8 to 1 with 2 abstentions.

43.7       RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 11 and the policies and guidance in section 7 of the report and resolves to REFUSE planning permission for the reasons set out in section 11.

              Note: Having declared an interest in the above application Councillor Cox left the meeting during its consideration and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.