Agenda item

23 High Street Castle Donington Derby DE74 2PP

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

Councillor T Saffell, Ward Member, addressed the Committee. He advised the Members that the application was within the conservation area and that normal precedence would be to refuse such an application if harm to the area outweighed the benefits and therefore as the host house was in the conservation area then a modern building would in effect cause harm. He highlighted that the new property would be on high ground and therefore would be visible He added that the application was flawed and urged Members to refuse the application.

Councillor R Canny moved a motion to refuse the application on the grounds that the development was not in keeping with the local character, but it was not seconded.

Councillor R Canny stated that as she lived in the area she had seen the erosion of precious land and felt that the modern design was not in keeping with the area, adding that in retrospect there were many beautiful period properties that had inappropriate developments in the grounds. Councillor R Canny felt that the application should also have been considered by the Authority’s new Conservation Officer.

Councillor D Everitt stated that the buildings in the area covered different periods in time and highlighted examples of high profile period buildings that had had modern extensions added which complemented the older parts and added that the residents would still love the area. He moved the officer recommendation to permit the application. It was seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he understood that the site was a conservation area however the modern application was exciting. He highlighted to Members that when looking at Google maps it was clear that the older properties in the area had PVC windows and there was some dubious brickwork on extensions, adding that a development in a back garden of that size in his ward would accommodate between 25-30 homes and that he supported the officer recommendation.

Councillor N Smith stated that he had spent most of his life renovating listed buildings and felt that the area should move forward with the times.

Councillor J G Coxon stated that it was not appropriate to keep building reproduction homes and that the new building would show the sign of the times.

Councillor M Specht stated that the new dwelling would be barely visible, that the new building against the old would complement the area and that he supported the recommendation.

Councillor J Bridges stated that he agreed with Councillor R Canny on a personal level but as there had been no objections to the application on planning grounds he had to support the recommendation.

Councillor V Richichi stated that the Committee used to look at refusal when an application would have an adverse effect on the area and the application should be shelved.

Councillor D J Stevenson highlighted that there were many old structures around the country that had modern buildings in close vicinity to them.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.