Decision details

EP/168/19/PL – 1 No. dwelling & alterations to roof of existing dwelling (4 Beechlands Cottages) ,  the provision of new dormer to fron elevation4 Beechlands Cottages and land adjacent, Beechlands Close, East Preston

            In presenting this report, the Planning Team Leader reminded the Committee that planning permission had been granted in May 2017 for an identical development under planning application EP/41/17/PL.

            On discussing the matter, comment was made that the Council had recently adopted its own parking standards and this proposal did not adhere to that.  There were problems already in the locality with regard to parking.  A view was expressed that the side entrance to the dwelling was not suitable and that the side window would overlook the neighbouring bungalow.  Officer advice was given that it was a bedroom window and would be obscure glazed.  Further Member comment stated that, as the proposal was at the end of a terrace, the design needed to be more symmetrical and, again, did not adhere to the Council’s own emerging Design Guide.

            On being put to the vote, the Committee did not accept the officer recommendation to approve and it was duly proposed and seconded that the application be refused on the grounds of the Council’s recently adopted Parking Standards DPD (Development Plan Document) and the design was not acceptable.

            The Group Head of Planning advised that he did not think there was any prospect of defending an appeal on those grounds.  However, a Member view was voiced that the Committee should stand behind its own Parking Standards and design principles and the Committee therefore

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reason:-

The proposed dwelling by virtue of its poor design and lack of sufficient car parking will result in unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the locality and areas highway safety contrary to policies D SP1, D DM1, T SP1 of the Arun Local Plan, Arun District Council Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document and policy 1 of the East Preston Neighbourhood Plan January 2020..