Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Edwards, J. Gilasbey and L. Roberts

(NOTE: Councillors W.T. Evans and K. Broom had earlier declared an interest in this application)

The Senior Development Management Officer (South) referred to the private site visit undertaken by the Committee earlier that day (Minute 3.1 of the Planning Committee held on the 1^st June, 2017 refers) the purpose of which had been to afford the new members appointed onto the Committee, following the local government elections, the same opportunity of viewing the site, as the previous committee on the 19th April, 2017.

He advised that at the meeting on the 19^th April following concerns raised by the objectors on the possibility of the flat roof to the extension being used as a roof terrace, the committee had resolved to defer the application for discussions to take place with the applicants on the feasibility of replacing the rear first floor French windows/Juliette Balconies with fixed windows to prevent access to the flat roof extension. Whilst agreement had been reached in that regard, it was subject to the windows being openable for ventilation and means of exit in an emergency, in accordance with building regulations, and the imposition of conditions 4 and 5 in the report preventing access to the roof area. Should those conditions be breached at any time, immediate enforcement action would be taken.

He thereupon referred, with the aid of powerpoint slides, to the written report of the Head of Planning which provided an appraisal of the site together with a description of the retrospective development, a summary of consultation responses received and information on the local and national policies which were relevant to the assessment of the application. The Committee was advised that the Head of Planning was recommending approval of the application for the reasons detailed within her written report.

Representations were received objecting to the retrospective application re-iterating the points detailed in the Head of Planning’s report which included the following:-

·       With regard to the proposed replacement of the French windows, a view was expressed that with minimal changes thereto access could still be achieved to the roof area. Assurances were therefore sought that such access would never be permitted and appropriate conditions applied to any consent accordingly. That condition was considered to be necessary as the proposed roof covering was capable of being walked upon,

·       The ground floor extension measuring 4.3m x5m x 9m, which had been constructed without planning consent, was considered to be overbearing and would impact on the amenity of the adjacent residential properties. That impact would be exacerbated if the roof area were to be accessed.

·       Concerns were expressed at the possibility of further retrospective applications being submitted in the future for the use of the flat roof as a terrace and use of the paddock area.

·       The Committee was requested to condition any planning consent to prevent access to the first floor extension roof area

The Senior Assistant Solicitor advised the Committee that whilst, in accordance with protocol, the applicants would be afforded the opportunity of responding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.