Agenda item

Application for the erection of a side extension for storage

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Gareth Williams

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To refuse

It was considered that the proposal did not demonstrate a high-quality design and therefore it was contrary to the principle of policy PCYFF 3 Design and Place Shaping of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (2017).   

Application to erect a side extension as storage

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)            The Planning Manager highlighted that this was an application to erect a single-storey extension at the side of a single-storey house, to be used as storage. It was noted that the development would include an access on the front and back and there would be no internal access from the property. The property itself is a house within a row of detached houses near the B4413 class 2 road in a residential area within the development boundary of the Coastal - Rural Village of Aberdaron, as defined in the Anglesey and Gwynedd Local Development Plan and is also within the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Llŷn and Bardsey Island Landscape of Outstanding Historical Interest.

The application was submitted to the Committee at the local member’s request.

Policy PCYFF 3 of the LDP was considered, which states that it was expected for every proposal to show a high-quality design, and give full consideration to the context of the surrounding built environment. Although the scale of the proposal may be considered as small, it was noted that the section that extends from the front of the property is prominent and draws the eye to the structure's presence.  In looking at the general development pattern of the street, it was noted that the nearby bungalows all stand in a fairly substantial curtilage with space between the side of the houses and the boundary fences. Although it was recognised that there were some garden sheds and residential paraphernalia between some of the other houses the space mainly remained, however, the proposal would entail the construction of a building that would fill the gap totally and reduce the space between the houses.

Consequently, it was not considered that the proposal would add to or improve the character and appearance of the house and the site; and it would not respect the appearance and character of the streetscape. It was added that the size and location of the extension, together with the roof pitch and its finish would be unsuitable and did not exhibit a high quality design and was not in-keeping with the existing property. Although it was possible to impose a condition to agree on materials and possibly to improve what could be seen on the site, it was not considered that this would be sufficient to meet with the requirements of policy PCYFF 3.  

b)            Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following points:

·         It was intended to use the proposal as storage

·         He was content with the officers' recommendation to refuse

·         The work to erect the extension had commenced about a year ago

·         He was grateful that the photographs he had submitted had been shared

·         This was a shed or 'lean-to' not an extension

·         It would be attached to the boundary wall and would be an eyesore

·         It would reduce the space between the houses

·         The four properties in the row were similar, however, the proposal in question would make this property different - it was not in-keeping 

·         He drew attention to the conclusions and the officers' recommendation, 'it is not considered that the proposal demonstrates a high quality design'

c)            It was proposed and seconded to refuse the application.

RESOLVED: To refuse

It was not considered that the proposal demonstrated a high quality design and therefore it was contrary to the principle of policy PCYFF 3, Design and Place Shaping of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (2017).