Erection of two single storey extension to side elevations; increase in roof height to allow for first floor accomodation to include insertion of dormer windows and rooflight to front and rear roofline (amended description).

The Principal Planner introduced the application and confirmed that Members had undertaken a site visit the previous day and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.  With reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, elevations and tree planting and protection plans.

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting, which detailed further objections. 

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, Councillor David Turner, as the local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the room and took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During his statement, the following points were raised:

·         A considerable number of local residents and the Parish Council had consistently raised objections to the changes made to what was originally a modest bungalow, which was largely hidden in a plot which contained a mixture of trees and shrubs and bounded by a low wall;

·         The boundary fence which had been permitted retrospectively had attracted many objections;

·         The property, as consented, was totally out of character in the Conservation Area;

·         The current application sought to vary the scale and appearance of the property by adding more living space into the building and the limited visual interest in the consented building would now be lost;

·         A healthy evergreen Norway Spruce would be lost; and

·         If approved, consideration should be given to the species and maturity of replacement trees.

Mrs M Morgillo, a local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         The proposal would excessively increase the size of what was a two-bedroomed dwelling;

·         Would be overbearing and out of character with the area; and

·         Would impact on the privacy of neighbouring properties.

Councillor M Whiteman, representing Barrow Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         Local residents and the Parish Council considered the proposal to be overdevelopment and totally out of character with the area;

·         Would impact on neighbouring properties;

·         Much work had been undertaken retrospectively;

·         The boundary fence had been erected without permission;

·         Inappropriate tree planting had taken place; and

·         An appropriate tree planting and replacement scheme should be conditioned.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans, noted the comments of all speakers.

RESOLVED:

That, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

·         The proposed development, by reason of its massing and inappropriate design and the loss of trees would result in overdevelopment of the site, would detract from the character and appearance of the built and historic environment and would have an adverse impact on neighbouring amenities.  The development would therefore be contrary to Shropshire Core Strategy policies CS6 and CS17 and paragraphs 56 to 58, 60 and 131 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

(The meeting adjourned at 3.18 pm and reconvened at 3.23 pm.)