Erection of two storey
rear extension to dwelling.
Local Member: Councillor Eirwyn Williams
Minutes:
Erection of two storey
rear extension to dwelling
(a) The Development Control Officer expanded on the
application’s background and noted that the application was to extend the
existing two-storey house and to erect a new two-storey section to the rear of
the property. It was
reported that the existing house was a three-bedroom detached property in a row
of houses of varying sizes and designs in a residential area on the main road
out of Cricieth. It was noted that
the application was before the Committee as more than three observations were
received that were contrary to the officer's recommendation.
It was noted that there
would be only 3m between the extension and the boundary of next door’s garden. In addition, it was noted that if the development was completed, there
would only be approximately 5m of garden remaining at the top of the site,
which would be likely to lead to an unacceptable reduction in the amenity space
around the house. The development was considered to be an
over-development of the site due to its bulk, size, location, form, scale and
the unacceptable impact it would have on the amenities of adjacent property due
to shadowing and over-looking.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the following
points were noted on behalf of the applicant:-
·
That he supported
his family's application
·
The family needed
a bedroom and an additional room for work
/ homework.
·
It was only the
officer’s opinion that the extension was too large.
·
There was no
mention in the report of the garden / lawn in front of the house with a
sufficient area to park four cars.
·
The extension
would not cast a shadow on the adjacent houses
·
Welsh was the
language of the home and therefore it was very important that the family remain
within their area.
·
Building an
extension was their campaign to stay locally.
·
The application
had received the full support of the local community.
(c) The following main points were made by the local
member who supported the application (not a member of this Planning
Committee):-
·
That the existing
house was too small for a family of six
·
The application
had received local support
·
The Town Council
was unanimous in their support of the application
·
There was plenty
of room to erect an extension that was out of everyone’s view
·
The Member
supported the application in order to ensure that a local family could continue
to live locally
It was proposed and seconded
to approve the application, contrary to the recommendation, as the Committee
considered that the proposal’s design was acceptable and was not contrary to
relevant policies.
(ch) During the discussion,
the following main observations were made:
·
That there were
no local affordable houses for the family.
·
That retaining
the family locally would strengthen the Welsh speaking community of Cricieth.
·
An example of an
application to keep communities alive.
·
A number were in
favour of the application which was a sign of the vitality of the community.
·
No objections had
been received from the neighbours.
(d)
In response to
the observations, the Senior Planning Service Manager noted that approval of
this application would set a dangerous precedent as it was not possible to pick
and choose if an application was to be approved on the basis of who the
applicant was. The size and design of the development had to be
considered and the residential amenities of the local neighbourhood had to be
respected. He added
that the extension was substantial in size and it was possible to conduct
discussions with the applicant for an alternative plan to meet the need and
relevant planning policies.
An amendment was proposed and seconded to undertake a
site visit.
RESOLVED to undertake a site visit.
Supporting documents: