Agenda item - BH2018/00854, Land to Rear of 62-64 Preston Road- Full Planning

Excavation and erection of three storey building comprising 3 no. residential units (C3) with associated alterations.

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

Ward Affected: Preston Park

              Excavation and erection of three storey building comprising 3no. residential units (C3) with associated alterations.

              Officer Presentation

(1)          The Principal Planning Officer, Stewart Glassar, introduced the proposed scheme and gave a presentation by reference to plans, elevational drawings, photographs and floor plans. It was noted that the application site was located in the yard to the rear of 62-64 Preston Road which was located on the corner with Ditchling Rise and related to a three storey building with a basement which had a shop within the basement and ground floor with residential accommodation on the upper floors and was similar to the adjoining building at 60 Preston Road.

(2)          The main considerations in determining this application related to the effect on the street scene as well as to the impact on the host building, the residential amenity of the neighbouring residents, the residents within the proposed development and the well-being of the residents in the host buildings upper levels. Three similar schemes had been considered by the Committee I March 2018, November 2017 and April 2017. Whilst the principle of development was not rejected when these applications had been determined, there had been concerns regarding the appearance of the development and the impact on amenity of existing and future residents.

(3)          The scheme had undergone a number of incremental revisions throughout the previous applications, which whilst they had been considered improvements to the overall design, had still failed to address the underlying concerns. The current amendment involved reduction in the height of the extension by the removal of the “pod” level and was considered to represent an improvement as it removed some of the bulk and mass as well as the inappropriate roof form and had improved the relationship of the extension to the main property. Whilst the extension was still of a substantial scale, the Planning Committee had previously expressed the view that removal of the roof level would address their concerns. It was noted that as the objector registered to address the meeting had advised that they were now longer able to do so, no public speaking would now be permitted. Objectors had indicated, however, that they remained of the view that they considered that local residents concerns had not been taken into account. The residents facing the development on Ditchling Rise would be overshadowed, would lose natural light, would be overlooked and would lose their privacy due to the height and width of the proposed build despite the roof level being reduced.

(4)          On balance, given the revisions made and taking account of the advice provided by Members previously, it was not considered that the impact of the scheme would be sufficient to warrant refusal in this instance and approval was therefore recommended subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in the report.

              Debate and Decision Making Process

(4)          The Chair noted that the applicant had sought to address the concerns raised by Members previously and to the proposed scheme in order to take them on board.

(5)          Councillor C Theobald stated that she considered the scheme as amended was acceptable and that she was now happy to support it. Councillors Littman and Morris concurred in that view considering that the concerns raised previously had now been addressed.

(6)          Councillor Miller stated that he had considered the previous schemes acceptable and was therefore happy to support this amended application.

(7)          A vote was taken and the 10 Members of the Committee who were present voted unanimously that planning permission be granted.

1.6         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 the Conditions and Informatives also set out in the report.