Agenda item - BH2023/03066 - The Garden Villa, 11C Montpelier Villas, Brighton - Householder Planning Consent

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

Speakers

2.         Simon Bareham addressed the committee on behalf of the applicant and stated that they considered the impact on the listed building to be acceptable as the storey extension to the front elevation is to be replaced and this will improve the visuals. The design compliments the existing building and reinforms the subserviency as it is set back from the main building. The listed building in Montpelier Road is not compromised. The are no objections from neighbouring residents and the proposal directly faces part of several properties. Impact on day/sunlight is considered acceptable. The scheme will improve the building and improve the symmetry.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

3.         Councillor Lyons was informed that most of the supporting residents lived near the building. It was noted that the reasons for refusal included light and overbearing impact and the application was being refused as being contrary to policy.

4.         Councillor Sheard was informed that the application was identical to the previous application which was refused apart from the sun/daylight assessment which considered the proposal to not have significant impact. Sunlight and daylight impacts had therefore not been included in the reasons for refusal.

5.         Councillor Earthey was informed that the existing building was grade II listed and this was considered to have heritage value. It was noted that the materials would be able to be matched should the proposals be agreed.

6.         Councillor Robinson was informed that the Heritage team and Conservation Advisory Group had objected to the application.

7.         Councillor Loughran was informed that the degree of harm was less than substantial, however the development was of no public benefit. The proposal was considered to not respect the existing listed building.

8.         Councillor Allen was informed that the Regency Society had not commented on the application. It was noted that if permission was granted then that any change to the listing of the existing building would lie with Historic England.

Debate

9.         Councillor Shanks considered the proposals looked better than the existing situation and no great harm would have been caused. The councillor did not support the officer recommendation to refuse.

10.      Councillor Lyons considered the property looked better with the proposal. The councillor did not support the officer recommendation to refuse.

11.      Councillor Robinson considered the proposals to change the streetscene.

12.      Councillor Sheard considered the applicant had waited to re-submit the application to a new planning committee and they could not support that.

13.      Councillor Nann considered the proposals reduced the subservience and impacts on the listed building.

14.      Councillor Allen considered the heritage needed to be protected and noted the proposal was not policy compliant. The councillor supported the officer recommendation to refuse.

15.      Councillor Loughran noted the area was sensitive and there would be an impact on the listed building and the application did not comply with policy.

16.      A vote was taken, and by 6 to 2 against and 1 abstention, the committee agreed with officer recommendation to refuse the application.

17.      RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to REFUSE planning permission for the reasons in the report.