EP/148/19/PL – Application for variation of condition No. 2 imposed on planning permission EP/52/18/PL relating to amended internal layout & external appearance of plots 4, 5, 6 & 7 and alterations to external layout and landscaping, Scorton, 9 Lime Tree Close, East Preston

            Having received a report on the matter, together with the officer’s written report update detailing an additional objection received,  the Planning Team Leader explained that this application sought to vary a condition to convert the roof space to additional living space, with additional windows which were considered to be acceptable.  No additional car parking provision was being proposed within the site and a street survey had been undertaken by the applicant which indicated that that would be acceptable.

            In discussing the proposal, Member comment was made that the Council had recently adopted its own Parking Standards SPD, which would not be complied with in this instance.  Concerns were raised that the overflow parking would spill onto the road, which was felt to be unacceptable due to its layout and that it could be described as a country lane; there were a number of pinch points; and it was a busy bus route.

            The Group Head of Planning advised that it had been established that additional parking provision could not be accommodated within the site and the applicant had therefore provided evidence about the car parking in the area.  There was sufficient on street parking in the area which would allow a degree of flexibility.  When the development was completed under its current approval, what was being proposed could be implemented anyway under Permitted Development.

            Members expressed the view that the new policy relating to parking should be supported.

            The Group Head of Planning provided advice that the Committee was required to make reasonable decisions and had to take account of what the applicant might do in the future.  The proposals could be implemented under Permitted Development once the dwellings were occupied.

            On being put to the vote, Members did not accept the officer recommendation to approve and, having been duly proposed and seconded, considered that the application should be refused as it did not adhere to the Council’s Parking Standards SPD and was clearly in breach of it.

            The Committee then

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reason:-

The lack of additional car parking provision will result in increasing road congestion adversely affecting highway safety in the area in conflict with policy TSP1 of the Arun Local Plan and the Council’s Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (January 2020).