Agenda item

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report for a proposed two storey front bay window, two storey side extension and single storey side and rear extensions.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report for a proposed two storey front bay window, two storey side extension and single storey side and rear extensions. This application was before the Committee as it had been submitted by a serving District Councillor.

The Principal Planning Officer stated that the site was a two-storey Victorian semi-detached house located in Beech Lane – a fairly short and narrow road which was located between Epping New Road and the High Road in Buckhurst Hill. The property was not listed nor did it lay within a Conservation Area.

The Principal Planning Officer reported that the original application had been revised such that the depth of the bay window extension at the front had been reduced and its design amended to a more traditional canted profile as found on other nearby properties. Planning Officers had concluded that any potential overlooking of the neighbouring property at 4 Beech Lane had been reduced to a limited and satisfactory level, and the side and rear extension on the other side would not materially detract from the light and outlook of 6 Beech Lane. Therefore, the revised proposal was considered acceptable and it was recommended to grant planning permission.

The Committee noted the Summary of Representations within the report, including an objection from the neighbour at 4 Beech Lane on the grounds that the proposed development would be out of keeping with the street scene and would impact the light entering the bedroom window. The Committee heard from an Objector and the Applicant’s Agent before proceeding to debate the application.

Cllr C C Pond commented that the design of the bay window was very good and would improve the overall street scene. Canted bay windows were designed to prevent the direct overlooking of neighbours and therefore the Councillor had no objections to this proposal. In response to the complaints mentioned by the Objector, i.e. loss of light and overlooking, the Principal Planning Officer reminded the Committee that the bay window had been redesigned to reduce the overlooking to acceptable levels, and it was the opinion of Planning Officers that there would be no loss of sunlight for the Neighbour from the proposed development.

Decision:

(1)        That planning application EPF/1765/17 at 5 Beech Lane in Buckhurst Hill be granted permission, subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this notice.

2.         Materials to be used for the external finishes of the proposed development shall match those of the existing building, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

3.         All construction/demolition works and ancillary operations, including vehicle movement on site which are audible at the boundary of noise sensitive premises, shall only take place between the hours of 07.30 to 18.30 Monday to Friday and 08.00 to 13.00 hours on Saturday, and at no time during Sundays and Public/Bank Holidays unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.