Agenda item - BH2015/03341 - 46 Tongdean Avenue, Hove - Full Planning

Demolition of existing single dwelling and erection of three storey six bedroom single dwelling.

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

              Demolition of existing single dwelling and erection of three storey six bedroom single dwelling.

(1)          The Planning Manager, Applications, Nicola Hurley, gave a presentation by reference to photographs and elevational drawings showing the existing and proposed scheme. Additional representations had been received and were detailed in the Later Representations List but did not introduce any new matters. The current application followed refusal of a similar scheme and had been amended to address the three previous reasons for refusal relating to impact on neighbouring amenity and lack of information relating to impact on trees and the proposed front boundary treatment.

(2)          The main considerations in determining the application related to the design and appearance of the development and the impact on the character and appearance of the area and that of the Tongdean Conservation Area, the impact of the development on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, the standard of accommodation, sustainability, transport and highway considerations and details of the potential impact on trees.

(3)          It was considered that the proposed dwelling would result in the acceptable loss of the existing much altered dwelling and replacement with a dwelling of an acceptable design, which with the imposition of conditions to secure appropriate details would have an acceptable impact on the character of the surrounding conservation area and would not give rise to adverse impacts on neighbouring amenity; approval was therefore recommended.

              Speakers and Questions

(4)          Mr Borley spoke on behalf of neighbouring residents setting out their objections to the scheme. He stated that he considered that the form of development proposed would be overbearing, would result in overlooking, loss of privacy, daylight/sunlight and would result in overshadowing of the neighbouring properties. It would also impact negatively on and be contrary to the character of the Tongdean Conservation Area in which it was situated.

(5)          Mr Lap Chan spoke on behalf of the applicants in support of their scheme. He explained that the scheme had been redesigned to address the previous grounds for refusal, objections by neighbouring properties and to provide information regarding impact on the trees on site. From its frontage the building would be traditional in its design and would therefore have no impact on the street scene.

              Debate and Decision Making Process

(6)          Councillor Bennett stated that given the proposed location of the development within a conservation area it was important that appropriate roofing materials were used, asking whether a condition specifying the materials to be used could be added. Councillor Miller concurred in that view.

(7)          Councillor C Theobald stated that she considered it regrettable that the existing building on site would be demolished as in her view it would have been preferable if the existing building had been refurbished. She also expressed concern that it was important to ensure that appropriate roofing materials were used, stating that she would support a condition in that respect. It was explained that this issue was covered by the proposed conditions.

(8)          Councillor Morris stated that he was unsure whether the proposed design would sit sympathetically within the existing street scene.

(9)          Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that in his view the street scene was varied in that location also noting that the previous reasons for refusal had been addressed.

(10)       The Legal Adviser to the Committee, Hilary Woodward, explained that the imposition of an additional condition could be appealed against by the applicant and was likely to be successful given that the previous reasons for refusal had been overcome.

(11)       A vote was taken and on a vote of 11 with 1 abstention planning permission was granted.

118.6    RESOLVED – That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 11 of the report and the policies and guidance in section 7 and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in section 11 and an additional condition to ensure that roof tiles were agreed as clay tiles.