Agenda item

(Copy Herewith)

The Development Manager submitted a report on behalf of the Head of Planning and elaborated thereon. The proposal being sought was for the erection of an infill dwelling, providing a four bedroom house over three storeys. Part of the proposal included a rear detached garage and two off road parking spaces on site. Access to the off-street parking was to be via a service road to the rear of the property. The exterior to the property was to be in keeping with the local houses, including similar pebble dash rendering on the ground floor level. In addition the development was to be staggered back slightly from 43 Park Avenue North and slightly in front of 41 Park Avenue North. In terms of the impact on the property across the road, this development was 25m away. Members were directed to photos provided by local residents outlining the space for the development and the properties in close proximity.

Anita Harvey, resident at 43 Park North Avenue, addressed the Committee and stated that the report provided was inconsistent with proposals and conflicted with JSC policy section H1, whereby the development was going to impede on the enjoyment and use of her property. This development was to protrude 3m from the back of her property, causing overshadowing. In addition the property would make the kitchen area even darker than it currently was and make rooms on that side of the house uninhabitable. Furthermore the development would not meet policy E20 of the Northampton Local Plan, as it would not reflect the character and design work of the surrounding houses.

In response to questions from Members, Anita Harvey commented that the development would overshadow her property. .

Sophie Griffiths, resident at 60 Park Avenue North, addressed the Committee and stated that there would be extra pressure created on parking and road safety with this development. Residents were already vying for car parking spaces, furthermore, almost none of the residents used their garages located on the service road. The Police were already being called on a regular basis to come and move illegally parked cars. In terms of the service road, there was already high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour and went against West Northamptonshire’s policy to reduce crime and would contravene paragraph 58 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

In response to questions, the Committee were informed that the new build would not be in keeping with the character of the buildings on Park North Avenue.

Councillor Anna King, as Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee and commented that the impact on 43 Park Avenue North would be extremely detrimental to their everyday use of the property. In addition there were major issues with crime in the area, furthermore residents had been unsuccessful in getting a gate installed on the service road entrances, to try and prevent crime.

Peter Kaye, owner of the site, addressed the Committee and informed Members that they had moved into the neighbouring property 30 years ago and were now in a position to develop the land adjoining. The property was to provide a home for a family and contribute to the lack of housing in Northampton. In addition, a neighbour from across the road supported the application and stated that they used their garage to park cars.

Tad Dobraszczyk, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee and stated that this project was to fill a gap at the end of a row of terrace houses. The plot was 6m wide and the development would be the same width as neighbouring houses. The design of the property was going to be in keeping with the local area. Even though parking was an issue in the area, this development included two additional off street parking spaces to the rear of the property.

In response to questions from the Committee, Tad Dobraszczyk stated:

·         Although the property being developed would finish behind the neighbouring property there would be no significant change in the amount of light getting into that property.

·         Officers had stated that they had no objections to the amount of parking being provided by the development.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Development Manager stated that the Police had not been consulted on the development, there was no requirement to do so on single dwelling developments. Furthermore, Members of the Committee were drawn to paragraph 7.9 of the report, stating that although the Highway Authority recommended three off-site parking spaces, it would be difficult to defend on appeal if the application was refused.

Members of the Committee welcomed the comments made and the report from officers. In addition they raised a number of comments including:

·         Although there was to be an impact on the neighbouring properties, it was felt that this was not going to be any more detrimental than the current position.

·         The design was felt to be in keeping with the local area and would mirror the properties on the other side of the road.

·         Parking was a concern with the development, however it was unlikely that this would be upheld on appeal.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out in the report and for the following reason:

The proposed development is considered acceptable in principle being within an established residential area.  Due to its siting, scale and design, it would not have an undue detrimental impact on the appearance and character of the street scene, amenity of adjoining occupiers, trees or highway safety and would contribute towards the Council’s 5 Year Housing Land Supply. The proposal therefore accords with Policies E20 of the Northampton Local Plan, H1, BN3 and S10 of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and aims of the National Planning Policy Framework.