Agenda item

DECISION: GRANT (FULL PLANNING)

Members had visited the site as part of their site inspections.  The proposal was for the construction of a second floor mansard style extension over the existing flat-roofed first floor of the building to create two self-contained flats, as well as change of use of the ground floor from a mixed use Class A1 and A3 to a single use for Class A1 purposes.

Consideration was given to updated information received from the agent, which was circulated to Members prior to the meeting.  Concerns regarding lack of parking provision by the Highway Authority were also noted.  The Committee considered comments made by the Ward Member who explained that the property had been empty for some time and was currently an eyesore on Sidley’s High Street.

Members discussed the acceptability of the proposal and the level of impact on the street-scene.  In weighing up all the issues, including the lack of a current 5-year supply of land for housing, Members considered that the design of the property was acceptable, would not look out of place or have a harmful impact on the street-scene.  Therefore, the Committee considered that the application for full planning should be granted.

Councillor Prochak moved the motion to approve (Grant Full Planning) and this was seconded by Councillor Mier.

Resolution voted on – the motion was CARRIED (unanimous).

CONDITIONS:

1.   The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: In accordance with section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

2.   The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and details:

Drawing No. 227-P-01-B, dated 4 October 2019

Drawing No. 227-S-01-A, dated 8 August 2019

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning, as advised in Planning Practice Guidance Paragraph: 022 Reference ID: 21a-022-20140306.

3.   No development above ground level shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the extension hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the development reflects the character and appearance of the existing building and to preserve the visual amenities of the area in accordance with Policy OSS4 (iii) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy.

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK: In accordance with the requirements of the Framework (paragraph 38) and with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by identifying matters of concern within the application (as originally submitted) and negotiating, with the applicant, acceptable amendments to the proposal to address those concerns. As a result, the Local Planning Authority has been able to grant planning permission for an acceptable proposal, in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.

(Councillor Mrs Earl-Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this matter in so far as she owned 19 Ninfield Road, the adjacent property and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct left the room during the consideration thereof).