Agenda item - BH2024/02569 - 9 The Beeches, Brighton - Full Planning

1.    The case officer introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.    John Boothby addressed the committee as a resident and stated that they were a new neighbour to the applicant, and they supported the scheme which would benefit the area. The height of the building was not a problem.

3.    Ward Councillor Lyons sent a speech to the Democratic Services officer, who read out the following: If you live at The Beeches, just off Dyke Rd, you will be living in a bungalow, where the planning application is proposed. The site looking to be developed also includes a parcel of land to the rear which has been previously part of 22 Dyke Road Ave. Infilling applications should be in keeping with the surrounding properties. A similar type of property would be supported and not a two-storey house. The new top floor would provide sight into gardens and windows of several adjoining properties from all elevations. The sizeable terrace on the north elevation top floor would provide direct views into windows & gardens of numbers 11 and 15. No objection to the design, however, the application is not in keeping with the properties it faces and recommend the committee rejects the application. It is considered out of character. Only one property being built therefore the councillor had no highway safety objections with minimum extra car use. The loss of an orchard is sad. The application should be rejected because of the design. Please ask the applicant to come back with an application that is no higher than the surrounding bungalows.

4.    Santino Sarri addressed the committee as the applicant and stated that they had purchased the land to build a dream home for their family. A previous design had been approved and the internal and external proposed are very similar to the approved scheme. This application includes a shorter driveway, which is considered better. Support has been received for the application following revised drawings. The committee were asked to grant planning permission.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

5.    Councillor Sheard was informed that access would be off The Beeches following the design changes.

6.    Councillor Loughran was informed that the footprint will be very similar to the previous application with a smaller first floor. The pool will be around 4m in length.

7.    Councillor Theobald was informed that planning permission had been granted to reduce the size of the existing house to allow access to the site. Two bedrooms will be reduced; however, a loft extension will be built.

Debate

8.    Councillor Shanks stated they were happy to agree as they already have permission.

9.    Councillor Theobald considered the pool could be noisy and access was now not off Dyke Road Avenue. It was a shame some trees were to be removed. It was considered the development should be a bungalow.

10. Councillor Robinson supported the application as the neighbours were ok with it.

11. Councillor Earthey noted there were other pools nearby. The councillor supported the application.

12. Councillor Winder considered the end result acceptable and raised no objections.

13. Councillor Loughran noted the development increased density. The councillor supported the application.

Vote

14. A vote was taken, and by 7 to 1 the committee agreed to grant planning permission. (Councillor Thomson had left the meeting and took no part in the discussions or decision-making process).

15. 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 in the report.