EP/179/18/PL – Demolition of existing house & erection of 3 x 3 bedroom houses together with landscaping, car parking and fencing, Gladwyn, The Street, East Preston  Having received a report on the matter, the Committee also received an officer report update which was circulated at the meeting and detailed the following:-

·         The proposal had been the subject of a Pre Site Inspection Panel visit

·         A Parish Council representation regarding the height of the building and the roof pitch and resultant Condition 9 restricting Permitted Development with regard to the creation of dormers.

·         An amended block plan had been received, as detailed in the update.

·         Correction to the description of the application, as detailed in the update.

·         Consultation response from County Highways of no objection, subject to the imposition of a condition.

·         Visibility splays and relevant condition.

·         Car parking spaces

·         Consultee comment from East Preston Parish Council objecting due to the lack of practical on-street parking close to the development.

·         Officer comment.

The Panning Team Leader was able to confirm that parking provision at the site had been increased from 4 to 7; the roof height had been reduced; and that the use of dormers would be controlled by Condition 9.

In discussing the proposal, it was acknowledged that this site was in need of development.  However, the provision of three houses and resultant traffic movements to and from the site would cause unacceptable disruption, with visitors having to park on the road away from the site.

The Chairman of the Pre Committee Site Inspection Panel advised that the visit to the site had been informative for those Members in attendance as it highlighted the highways issues in the locality.  The adjoining roads were narrow and, as they formed part of the bus route, problems were experienced with the on street parking already taking place, which would inevitably be exacerbated by this proposal.  A further cause for concern was the fact that the visibility splays would need to be widened, which would cause the loss of the flint wall to the front of the property – it was felt that this would have a detrimental impact on the character of the area.

The Planning Team Leader reiterated that the 7 parking spaces designed into the scheme were in line with the County Council’s parking calculator.

In turning to the vote, the Committee did not accept the officer recommendation to approve. The options to refuse or defer were then considered, following which it was formally proposed and duly seconded that the application be deferred to enable officers to seek assurance from County Highways that they had included in their assessment of this proposal the planning permission on the adjoining site due to the serious concerns expressed with regard to road safety in the area and what the cumulative effect of the two adjoining developments would have on the road network.  It was also agreed that the applicant would be asked to ascertain what visibility could be achieved if the flint wall was retained and whether County Highways would find that acceptable.  It was further agreed to ask County Highways to visit the site and attend the Planning Briefing Panel to listen to the concerns of Members.

The Committee

RESOLVED

That the application be deferred to enable County Highways to provide further information with regard to its assessment of the two adjoining developments on the road network and to ascertain whether the flint wall could be retained.