Agenda item

To consider the attached report.

The Service Director (Planning Services) presented a report with regard to the proposed construction of a swimming pool and associated landscaping at Woodberrie, Kings Hill, Loughton.

Members were advised that the application had been referred to the Committee for determination as a result of a minority reference from Area Plans Sub-Committee South at its meeting on 21 November 2018, after an equal number of members had voted for and against the development proposal. The Committee noted that the recommendation of the Service Director (Planning Services) remained that planning permission should be granted for the proposed development, notwithstanding that factors in support of and against the grant of planning permission were balanced.

The Committee was advised that the application site was within the York Hill Conservation Area and was a locally listed building. The Service Director (Planning Services) reported that Woodberrie was a three-storey pitched-roof house with first floor accommodation above the eaves within a steeply pitched roof and on the second floor in the upper roof area. Members noted that the house was set within a generous plot that included a link attached garage to the north and that trees around the boundary of the site were subject to a Tree Preservation Order. The Committee was advised that the property had an extant planning permission for a large extension to the north of the existing building and was prominent on Woodbury Hill, contributing to the historic interest and appearance of the area and other buildings of similar style.

The Service Director (Planning Services) advised the Committee that the main issues for consideration in respect of the application related to design in the Conservation Area, impact on amenity and impact on trees. Members noted that it was considered that the proposed swimming pool had been well designed to respect the character of Woodberrie and the surrounding conservation area and the pool and landscaping would sensitively integrate into the plot and sit behind a high hedge which was a characteristic of the conservation area and would soften the appearance of the swimming pool and create an attractive landscape feature. The Committee noted that the pool would be further screened with additional planting and that the necessary plant equipment would be situated below ground level so as to not affect the setting of Woodberrie. The Service Director (Planning Services) advised the Committee that the proposed pool would occupy a level plateau within the existing garden and would leave a large area of garden to the rear of the house. Members noted that the proposal was not therefore considered to be harmful to the conservation area and would preserve its character and appearance.

The Service Director (Planning Services) reported that the proposed pool would be set well away from neighbouring properties and that, due to the land levels of the site and the high volume of protected screening, it would not be visible from long views of the property and would not appear overbearing on neighbouring properties or overlook the private amenity space of neighbouring properties. Members were advised that the proposed location of the plant machinery was a sufficient distance from neighbouring properties, so as to not cause any significant harm to the amenity of neighbouring properties

The Committee noted that the Tree and Landscape Officer had made no objection to the proposal and that, as the site was within a Conservation Area, all trees were afforded legal protection in addition to several trees on and adjacent to the site that were also protected by Tree Preservation Orders. The Service Director (Planning Services) reported however that conditions requiring the submission of a landscaping scheme, tree protection and retention of trees and shrubs, should be applied to any grant of planning permission for the development proposal.

The Service Director (Planning Services) acknowledged that roadways within the Conservation Area were narrow and there were no footpaths and that a Construction Method Statement was required to be submitted as part of the approval for the extension of the existing house. The Committee noted that a revised Construction Method Statement had been submitted with the current application to limit any impact caused by the construction of the development. Members noted that the development was a significant distance from nearby buildings and that it was unlikely that the proposal would impact on neighbouring properties.

RESOLVED:

That planning application EPF/1950/18 be approved, 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)       Prior to any above ground works, full details of both hard and soft landscape works (including tree planting) and implementation programme (linked to the development schedule) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These works shall be carried out as approved. The hard landscaping details shall include, as appropriate, and in addition to details of existing features to be retained: proposed finished levels or contours; means of enclosure; car parking layouts; other minor artefacts and structures, including signs and lighting and functional services above and below ground. The details of soft landscape works shall include plans for planting or establishment by any means and full written specifications and schedules of plants, including species, plant sizes and proposed numbers /densities where appropriate. If within a period of five years from the date of the planting or establishment of any tree, or shrub or plant, that tree, shrub, or plant or any replacement is removed, uprooted or destroyed or dies or becomes seriously damaged or defective another tree or shrub, or plant of the same species and size as that originally planted shall be planted at the same place, unless the Local Planning Authority gives its written consent to any variation;

(3)       If any tree, shrub or hedge shown to be retained in the submitted Arboricultural reports is removed, uprooted or destroyed, dies, or becomes severely damaged or diseased during development activities or within 3 years of the completion of the development, another tree, shrub or hedge of the same size and species shall be planted within 3 months at the same place, unless the Local Planning Authority gives its written consent to any variation. If within a period of five years from the date of planting any replacement tree, shrub or hedge is removed, uprooted or destroyed, or dies or becomes seriously damaged or defective another tree, shrub or hedge of the same species and size as that originally planted shall, within 3 months, be planted at the same place;

(4)       No development, including works of demolition or site clearance, shall take place until a Tree Protection Plan, Arboricultural Method Statement and site monitoring schedule in accordance with BS: 5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - Recommendations) has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority and approved in writing. The development shall be carried out only in accordance with the approved documents unless the Local Planning Authority gives its written consent to any variation;

(5)       All material excavated from the below ground works hereby approved shall be removed from the site unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority;

(6)       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; and

(7)       Wheel washing or other cleaning facilities for vehicles leaving the site during construction works shall be installed and utilised to clean vehicles immediately before leaving the site. Any mud or other material deposited on nearby roads as a result of the development shall be removed.