Agenda item - BH2014/00073 - 73 Balsdean Road, Brighton - Householder Planning Consent

Erection of single storey infill extension to front with pitched roof.

RECOMMENDATION – REFUSE  

Erection of single storey infill extension to front with pitched roof.

1)                      The Senior Team Planner, introduced the report and gave a presentation by reference to photographs, plans and elevational drawings. The application site related to a three bedroom detached predominately single property with a garage on the lower ground floor. Currently there was an existing terrace to the front of the property, and permission was sought for an extension to infill this area. The application followed two previous refusals and the latest had been dismissed at appeal; the Inspector had set out that the character was varied in the street, but most of the properties had an ‘L’ shaped feature at the front; removing this would also create a sense of overbearing and affect the rhythm of the street. For the reasons set out in the report the application was recommended for refusal.

2)                      It was noted that the listed public speaker in support of the application, Mr Dieter Haslam, had not attended the meeting.

Debate and Decision Making Process

3)                      Councillor Wells stated that the site visit had showed that the application would improve the property, and he did object to the loss of the ‘L’ shape.

4)                      Councillor Hyde stated that she would not be supporting the Officer recommendation as she had not agreed with the view of the Inspector.

5)                      Councillor Wealls stated he would not support the Officer recommendation as he felt the site visit had demonstrated that the impact on light and amenity would be negligible.

6)                      Councillor Gilbey stated that she had agreed with the view of Inspector from the undertaking the site visit and she would support the Officer recommendation.

7)                      Councillor Randall stated he agreed with the views of Councillors Hyde and Wells and he would not support the Officer recommendation.

8)                      Councillor Littman stated he could not identify any harm that would be caused by the application. He also noted that both neighbours directly either side supported the application.

9)                      The Deputy Development Control Manager, Paul Vidler, highlighted that there had been very strong comments from the Inspector which is was important the Committee take into account, and officers had not felt the small amendment to create a recess was sufficient to recommended approval.

10)                 A vote was taken and the Officer recommendation to refuse planning permission was not carried on a vote of 4 in support with 7 against. Councillor Hyde proposed reasons for the approval. These reasons were then read to the Committee, and it was agreed that they reflected what had been put forward by Members; the Deputy Development Control Manager also recommended conditions in relation to a three year implementation period; listing the submitted drawings and matching materials. A recorded vote was then taken with the proposed reasons for refusal and Councillors: Mac Cafferty, Hyde, Cox, Randall, Littman, Wealls and Wells voted that permission be granted and Councillors: Jones, Carden, Gilbey and Hamilton voted that permission be refused.

166.6    RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration the Officers recommendation to refuse, but resolves to GRANT permission for the reason set out:

Reasons for Approval:

              i.           The proposed front extension by virtue of its form would not disrupt the rhythm of the immediate properties in the street and is therefore in accordance with policies QD2 and QD14 of the Brighton & Hove Local Plan 2005.

Note: Councillor Duncan was not present during the consideration and vote on this application.