Agenda item

REFUSED

Description of application – Retrospective conversion of garage to habitable room to include alterations to the roof and erection of replacement single storey side and rear extension.

Oral representations from visiting Ward Member Councillor Simon Fawthrop in objection to the application were received at the meeting. Councillor Fawthrop urged Members to refuse the application for the following reasons:-

·  Over-development of the site not in keeping with the surrounding area.

·  Impact upon the nature and character of the row of houses.

·  Impact upon the residential amenity of no. 12 Kennedy Close; and

·  The  impact upon the on-street parking conditions.

A full copy of Councillor Fawthrop’s representations can be viewed as Annex A to these Minutes.

The Development Management Area Team Leader (West) confirmed that the photographs submitted by Councillor Fawthrop had been circulated to Members.

Having visited the site, the Chairman considered there was no problem with parking and could see nothing wrong with the development. There would be no impact to the neighbouring property, the rear extension was modest in size and Highways had no objections to the application. The Chairman moved that permission be granted.

Councillor Onslow moved that the application be refused on the grounds of parking issues and change to the nature of the site in that the development resulted in creating a terracing effect. Councillor Owen seconded the motion.

Councillor Joel seconded the motion for permission on the basis that the garage was a single storey structure whereas the adjoining property had built a two storey extension and a four-width single storey. In comparison, this application was acceptable.

Councillor Terry supported refusal on the grounds of impact on the streetscene, loss of amenity to the neighbouring property and overbearing development.

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

1.  The proposal would overdevelop the site, detract from its character and would cause harmful noise disturbance to neighbouring amenities together with insufficient on-site parking harmful to highway safety and free flow of traffic contrary to Policies 30, 31, 32 37 of the Bromley Local Plan 2019.

Members resolved to refuse this application contrary to the Assistant Director of Planning’s recommendation on the grounds that the development would be excessive in nature; overdevelop the site, be out of keeping with the character of the area, result in harmful living conditions for neighbouring occupants and cause harmful on street parking.