Agenda item

Item 8: Conversion of integral garage to integral annexe with bay window to the front and level threshold side access door. Erection of timber outbuilding to include workshop/garage room and facilitate the change of integral garage use for use ancillary to the dwelling at 13 Hack Drive

13 Hack Drive, Colden Common, SO21 1UD

Case number: 20/01388/HOU

The Service Lead - Built Environment referred Members to the Update Sheet which set out the following: one objector was a Council employee; an additional letter of support with information submitted to the committee by the applicant; additional information submitted to the committee by the immediate neighbour in respect of their objection; two letters submitted to the committee by neighbours and confirmation of agreement from a further neighbour raising objections to the application; and detail of the investigation carried out regarding the planning history of the site.

In addition, a verbal update was made at the meeting stating that an additional objection had been received by email making reference to the following: the diminishment of the gap between 13 Hack Drive and 15 Hack Drive; the report on the previous application allowing the extension to 13 Hack Drive; and the impact on the character and appearance of the area.

During public participation, Emma Boden and Debbie Harding (Parish Clerk – Colden Common Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Kim Blunt (agent on behalf of the applicants) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

During public participation, Councillors Bronk and Cook spoke on this item as Ward Members.

In summary, Councillor Bronk stated that the decision was crucial to protect the character of the street scene in Colden Common and for the preservation of its open green space and wildlife corridors. He challenged aspects of the report which he considered did not reflect the many objections raised by residents and did not mention that permitted development rights had been removed for all properties in the area.

Councillor Bronk confirmed that his principal concern was in relation to the eastern segment of the applicant’s land that formed part of Kiln Green and was unsuitable for development. He stated that this was a part of land explicitly mentioned as green space within the Colden Common Village Design Statement (VDS). He stated that the proposal conflicted with paragraphs 6.4.13 of the Local Plan Part 2 and policy DM15 (1), (2) and (5) which he suggested had not been acknowledged and addressed.

In conclusion, Councillor Bronk referred to the contents of the previous 2014 officer’s report for the extension to 13 Hack Drive and stated that this proposal would have a detrimental impact on the area and would create the impression of an alley way, contrary to policies DM15, DM16 (1), DM17 and the VDS and

urged the committee to consider its policies and the comments of residents and refuse the application.

In summary, Councillor Cook outlined the history of the site and stated that the proposal would impact on the landscape open space and would dramatically alter the street scene. She considered the dimensions of the garage and workshop space to be overbearing in scale as it was only 1.5 metres narrower than the neighbouring property at 15 Hack Drive, although the same in length. Councillor Cook made reference to the proposal being settled between two heavily used footpaths and reiterated that the proposal was contrary to the VDS and failed to comply with policies DM15, DM16 and DM17.

In conclusion, Councillor Cook urged the committee to refuse the application as being contrary to policy and overbearing in terms of size, scale and mass resulting in a detrimental impact on local residents and, in particular, the neighbouring property at 15 Hack Drive.

At the conclusion of debate, the committee voted to refuse permission for the following reasons: the proposed outbuilding by virtue of its size, design and prominent location in an open site would result in an incongruous form of development which would be out of keeping with and detrimental to the character and appearance of the surrounding area; contrary to policies DM15, DM16 and the Colden Common Village Design Statement.