Agenda item

The Planning Officer reported that there was no update.

Batchworth Community Council noted the information provided in the interim period.  They had raised concerns on this and the previous applications with regard to scale, height, the negative impact of the side extension, ridge height, the extensive development of the site, and the extensive demolition of a 1930s property in the Conservation Area leaving very little of the original property.  The development is detrimental to the Conservation Area and key features were being lost and there would be extensive increase in the depth and width of the house. 

Members of the Committee raised the following points:

Would the chimney be retained? If it was could Condition 4 which related to the construction and demolition statement include the chimney.

Could see no reason for refusal.  Would be sufficient gaps between properties having looked at the plan with the west side looking the same and to the east larger due to the removal the existing single storey building.

Why was it now considered that reason for refusal R1 had been overcome.

The Planning Officer advised that the existing single storey garage was proposed to be removed.  There would be the introduction of a 1^st floor element to the side, but this would be less than what was currently there.  In the officer’s view there was sufficient evidence that the reasons for refusal had been overcome.  With regard to the chimney this could be included within Condition 4.

Councillor Matthew Bedford moved that the recommendation that planning permission be granted with the conditions and informatives as set out in the officer report, and to include an amendment to Condition 4 to include specific reference to the retention of the existing chimney, seconded by Councillor Sarah Nelmes.

On being put to the Committee the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair the voting being 10 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions.

RESOLVED:

That PLANNING PERMISSION BE GRANTED (in accordance with the officer recommendation) with amendment to Condition C4 to include specific reference to retention of existing chimney.

Amended Condition C4 to read:

No development or other operation shall commence on site whatsoever until a Construction & Demolition Method Statement has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This Construction & Demolition Method Statement shall include details of how all existing walls (internally and externally), roofslopes and chimney as shown on drawing numbers 5678 /PL003 Rev B and 5678 /PL004 Rev C to be retained (i.e. hatched in grey (marked as existing)) will be maintained in situ throughout the erection of the extensions hereby permitted with only those walls and roofslopes shown on the abovementioned drawings as proposed for demolition (as shown dashed in orange) to be removed.

The extent of demolition hereby approved shall not be implemented until a contract for the implementation of the works of redevelopment of the site (including submission of the construction drawings) has been made and a copy submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

Councillor Debbie Morris returned to the meeting.