Agenda item

Agenda item

20/00242/FUL: Re-construction of existing roof space increasing pitch with the addition of 3 dormer windows creating internal space within roof area and the widening of existing vehicular access (retrospective application)

March House 28A Long Street Belton Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 9TP

 

Minutes:

The Planning officer presented the report to Members.

 

Councillor Nicola Burbidge Mullen, on behalf of Belton Parish Council, addressed the committee highlighting the comments that the Parish Council had submitted prior to the meeting in objection to the application, the increased size of the building which had changed the style from a cottage to an over bearing property that was not in keeping with the surroundings and highways concerns over the proposed parking allocation which could require cars to be reversed on to a road with bus stops next to and opposite the site. She noted that the Parish Council also raised concerns over the lack of detail on the size of the dormers which on plans did not appear to be smaller and that the rear dormers would still be overbearing to the properties at the rear.

 

Ms Maria McCarthy, objector, addressed the committee highlighting that the application site fell outside of land that was not within the applicant’s control, that the available visibility required by highways was only 50% of the requirement in both directions and the proposed visibility splay was reliant on third party land. She noted that the application was predetermined whilst consultation on amended plans was still running, permitted development was introduced at the last minute and due to the issues around land ownership the minimum 7.2m width was not achievable which left the parking proposals deficient.

 

Ms Jane Terry, agent, addressed the committee highlighting the history of the planning applications on the site, that the application before the committee was due to alterations made during the work of which several of the changes were minor amendments. She noted that officers were acceptable of the roof pitch, that the rear dormer would not have an adverse impact on the properties to the rear of the site and the application complied with the NWL Good Design SPD.

 

In determining the application, some members expressed concerns over the lack of clarity on the ownership of the site, that the application, especially the dormer windows to both the front and rear were overbearing and not in keeping with the surroundings and, that the Committee had been put in a difficult position with the application as it was retrospective. Members were advised that land ownership issues were not material planning considerations, however should the application site fall outside of the correct ownership, then the correct certificate of landownership and confirmation that the correct notices had been served would be sought before any decision notice was issued. It was also noted that all previous planning permissions would not be void on the basis of land ownership grounds raised on this application, nor will they be void should the application before them be permitted or should the applicant deviate from the plans submitted. That would be a matter for the Council’s Enforcement Team.

 

A motion to permit the application in accordance with the officer recommendation was moved by Councillor J Hoult and seconded by Councillor R Boam.

 

The Chairman put the motion to the vote. A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below.

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

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

 

Having declared a pecuniary interest in the next item Councillor N Smith stepped down from the Chair.

 

 


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