Agenda item

Twydall

Redevelopment to provide two 3 bed dwelling houses with associated car parking spaces and amenity space - Demolition of garaging units (19 no).

Discussion:

The Head of Planning outlined the planning application in detail and reminded the Committee that this application had been considered on 23 June 2021, following which the application had been deferred to enable discussions to take place with the applicant in relation to the possibility of amending the scheme to bungalows and further information about the use of the garages and the exact number being used for parking purposes.

The Head of Planning advised the Committee that since despatch of the agenda the National Planning Policy Framework had been revised and the application had now been considered against paragraphs 111, 112E, 126, 130, 169, 183 and 184. It was confirmed that there was no change to the recommendation set out in the report.

The Committee was informed that the applicant had since advised that amending the proposal to bungalows would result in the development not being financially viable due to the proposed rent model and would result in an unsustainable loss. The only financially viable option for the site was for the provision of 2 x 3 bed houses.

The applicant had stated that if concern related to potential overlooking it would be acceptable for a condition to provide oriel windows in place of the windows with louvres.

In respect of the use of the existing garages, the applicant advised that they would not be able to establish a more exact picture of the use of every garage other than that which had been identified within the independent parking stress survey.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Prenter addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor and made the following summarised comments: 

·         Residents’ concerns were still valid and the proposed development overlooked properties and were overbearing as they were higher than other properties in this densely populated area of Medway.

·         Some of the existing residents who would be overlooked were elderly and these large buildings will be detrimental to the enjoyment of their homes.

·         The survey of usage of the garages had not provided a true reflection of usage for vehicles due to people staying home or working from home during the Covid pandemic and loss of the garages will result in increased competition for on-street parking.

The Committee discussed the application noting the concerns of the Ward Councillor.

It was generally considered that the development, as proposed constituted an overdevelopment in terms of overlooking, being overbearing on neighbouring properties and out of keeping with the character of the area. In addition, the loss of the garages would exacerbate existing pressures for on-street parking in the area.

Decision:

Refused on the following grounds and the Head of Planning be granted delegated powers to approve the final wording of the refusal grounds in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson:

·         The application constitutes an overdevelopment in terms of overlooking, being overbearing on neighbouring properties and out of keeping with the character of the area.

·         The loss of the garages would exacerbate existing pressures for on-street parking in the area.