Agenda item - BH2016/06335-Martello Lofts, 315 Portland Road, Hove -Full Planning

Creation of additional floor to provide 2no one bedroom flats and 2no two bedroom flats (C3).

RECMMENDATION – GRANT

Ward Affected: Wish

              Creation of additional floor to provide 2no one bedroom flats and 2no two bedroom flats.

(1)             It was noted that Members had observed this site during the course of their site visits.

Officer Presentation

(2)          The Principal Planning Officer, Stewart Glassar, introduced the application and gave a presentation by reference to plans, photographs and elevational drawings. It was confirmed that the application related to a recently converted office block into residential units and that the building was of four storeys in height which included a lower ground floor level and was sited on Portland Road on the corner of Portland Road Trading Estate. Consent was sought to add an additional storey to the building in order to form two 1 bed apartments and two 2 bed apartments. Whilst it was acknowledged that the additional height would be noticeable within the street scene as the additional storey would be read as a 'penthouse' extension it was not considered to significantly increase the dominance of the main building. The set back of the extension would ensure that it remained a subservient addition to the building and the modern design was considered appropriate within the context of the building and the surrounding area. The standard of the accommodation to be provided was considered acceptable and each unit would be provided with a roof terrace. It was noted that the application was now recommended for “grant” rather than “minded to grant”

Debate and Decision Making Process

(3)          Councillor Morris requested to know whether the proposed roof terraces would also be set back into the building.

(4)          Councillor Gilbey stated that whilst supporting the application in her view it would be preferable if an informative could be added to any permission granted in order to ensure that a sufficient level of screening was provided, bamboo screening had been provided at a number of recent developments in the city and this often detracted from the appearance of the building. It was confirmed that the existing condition relating to balcony treatment could be amended and Members agreed that was their wish.

(5)          A vote was taken and the 9 Members who were present when the vote was taken voted unanimously to grant planning permission in the terms set out below.

20.8       RESOLVED – That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to a S106 agreement to the Conditions and Informatives also set out in the report and to the amendments set out below:

              Amend Condition 3 to Read:

No development shall take place until samples of all materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, including (where applicable):

a) Samples of all brick, render and tiling (including details of the colour of render/paintwork to be used);

b) Samples of all cladding to be used, including details of their treatment to protect against weathering;

c) Samples of the proposed window, door and balcony treatments (balustrade and railing); The applicant is advised that when discharging Condition 3 the balcony balustrades should be constructed with frosted glass, rather than clear glass, to discourage the future installation of bamboo or other screening materials which would be detrimental to the appearance of the development.

d) Samples of all other materials to be used externally;

Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: As this matter is fundamental to the acceptance of the scheme and to ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and to comply with policies QD14 of the Brighton & Hove Local Plan and CP12 of the Brighton & Hove City Plan Part One.

Additional Informative:

The applicant is advised that when discharging Condition 3 the balcony balustrades should be constructed of frosted glass, rather than clear glass, to discourage the future installation of bamboo or other screening materials which would be detrimental to the appearance of the development.

Note: Councillors Greenbaum and C Theobald were not present at the meeting during consideration of, or voting in respect of the above application. Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of the above application Councillor C Theobald left the meeting during its consideration and took no part in the debate or decision making process