Agenda item

REFUSED

Description of application – Part two/three storey rear extension comprising extension to ground floor retail unit with 2 two bedroom flats on first and second floors including balconies with privacy screens.

Oral representations in support of the application were received at the meeting.

Ward Members, Councillor Tony Owen and Councillor Simon Fawthrop, objected to the application and in Councillor Owen’s view the proposed development would overlook neighbouring properties from rear windows and balconies and would be an overdevelopment of the site.  Councillor Fawthrop informed Members that the service road area had a well-known rat infestation and was not fit for public amenity due to safety and hygiene.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE REFUSED for following reasons:-

1.  The proposed extension by reason of its bulk, size and siting would be overly prominent and incongruous, and constitute an overdevelopment of the site which is out of character with the locality and would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Station Square Conservation Area and if permitted would set an undesirable precedent for similar inappropriate development within the area. Furthermore by virtue of the immediate surrounding environment future occupiers would not enjoy an acceptable standard of amenity thereby contrary to Policies BE11 and BE1 of the Unitary Development Plan and Draft Policies 4, 37 and 41 of the Emerging Local Plan.