Agenda item

Planning Application - 17/01600/FUL - Land Adjacent to 153 Athelstan Road

Report of the Service Lead, Planning, Infrastructure and Development recommending that the Panel delegate approval in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

Minutes:

The Panel considered the report of the Service Lead, Planning, Infrastructure and Development recommending delegated authority be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

 

Construction of two storey, four bed detached house with associated bin/refuse, car parking and cycle storage.

 

Catherine Rendle and Charlotte Winfield (local residents objecting), and Councillors Keogh and Lewzey (ward councillors objecting) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

 

The presenting officer reported an amendment to Condition 16 of the recommendation amended to align with the condition on the previously consented application.  Members expressed concerns over the access to the property and that the development would be an overdevelopment of the existing plot.

 

The Panel then considered the recommendation to delegate authority to the Service Lead: Planning, Infrastructure and Development to grant planning permission. Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was lost.

 

A further motion to refuse to Planning Permission for the reasons set out below was then proposed by Councillor Claisse and seconded by Councillor Savage.

 

RECORDED VOTE to refuse planning permission

FOR:  Councillors Claisse, Murphy, Savage and Wilkinson

AGAINST:  Councillors Denness and Hecks

ABSTAINED:  Councillor Shields

 

RESOLVED to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out below:

 

Reasons for Refusal

 

(1)  Reason for Refusal – Residential amenity

The proposed development, with particular reference to the additional two-storey massing at the rear, represents an overdevelopment of the existing plot and would result in an unneighbourly form of development which is harmful to the occupiers of the application site and neighbouring dwellings. With reference to the changing site levels, the additional bedroom and increased building footprint with associated loss of external amenity space, it is considered that the property fails to provide a good quality, usable external amenity space for the occupants of the host dwelling that is fit for its intended purpose to serve a 4 bedroom family dwelling and results in an over-intensive and cramped form of development.  The additional bedroom (as proposed) and associated reduction in external amenity space to below current standards are at odds with achieving appropriate development. Furthermore, the additional massing to the rear will result in additional overshadowing of the proposed garden and the neighbouring dwelling at 153 Athelstan Road which will be exacerbated by the change in site levels. Therefore, the proposal proves contrary to SPD1(i), SDP7(i)(iii)(iv) and SDP9(i)(ii)(v) of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (2015) and Policy CS13 of the adopted Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan Document (2015), as supported by sections 2.2.1, 2.2.19, 2.2.21, 2.3.12-13 and 4.4.3-4 of the Council’s approved Residential Design Guide SPD (2006).

 

(2)  Reason for Refusal - Lack of Section 106 or unilateral undertaking to secure planning obligations.

In the absence of either a scheme of works or a completed Section 106 legal agreement or unilateral undertaking to support the development the application fails to mitigate against its wider direct impact with regards to the additional pressure that further residential development will place upon the Special Protection Areas of the Solent Coastline.  Failure to secure mitigation towards the 'Solent Disturbance Mitigation Project' in order to mitigate the adverse impact of new residential development (within 5.6km of the Solent coastline) on internationally protected birds and habitat is contrary to Policy CS22 of the Council's adopted LDF Core Strategy as supported by the Habitats Regulations.

 

Supporting documents: