Agenda and minutes

To determine the application.

Nick Thrower presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure, from Tim Slater, the Agent.

Mr Slater stated that he is representing the applicant, Mr Crowson, and his family as an advocate for, in his view, the specially designed and stunning bungalow proposal before the committee. He added that he is aware of the general policy provision that apply in this location in terms of principle of development and flood risk, as reflected in the planning history in the officer’s report.

Mr Slater stated that in developing the concept for the design he has sought to address these in an innovative and design led way and there are 2 key elements to their argument. He added that in Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework it does provide a pathway to achieve new development in isolated locations, provided that it is exceptional and it is contended that the design of this home is ground breaking in 2 key aspects design concept and dealing with flood risk.

Mr Slater stated with regard to design, the proposal is designed specifically to meet the needs of Mr Crowson’s son James, who needs a quiet and isolated location, and with the home designed around his needs in terms of mobility and space requirements. He added that the scheme was designed inside out with the form of the home following its function to address the applicant’s sons individual needs, a quiet and isolated location, sufficient space to not feel closed in, a simple palate and design on interior to avoid sensory overload and a chillout/sensory room.

Mr Slater added that the external appearance of the building is unrepentantly striking and will be finished in a bright blue render. He added that it is noted that the officer concludes that the proposal is not sympathetic to local distinctiveness, but in his opinion the design and built form of Elbow Lane is not particularly distinctive and the site is visually separate from the development along Elbow Lane, with the approach being always to deliver a sculptural architectural form and as such it is not intended to replicate the surroundings, but to be distinctive in its own right.

Mr Slater stated that in relation to flood risk, the issue of dealing with development in flood zones is very important in planning, but of particular significance to Fenland and a number of the costal districts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, which the Environment Agency identify as being at particular risk. He is aware that members of the committee are frustrated at the blanket approach to flood risk planning advocated at a national level and are looking for a design solution that can allow development in parts of the district that lie within Flood Zone 2-3 and otherwise would fall foul of national policy.

Mr Slater expressed the view that the jacking system proposed to raise the home in the event of flood is genuinely innovative and added that he is aware  ...  view the full minutes text for item P92/20

To determine the application.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To determine the application.

Nick Thrower presented the report to Members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure, from Shanna Jackson, the Agent.

Mrs Jackson stated that the proposal is for the construction of a new dwelling on land that is currently occupied by an existing outbuilding, with it being used, pre-Covid, as a gym by the applicant and he would travel on a daily basis from his house in Wimblington. She expressed the view that the proposal site is in the built-up settlement of March where the principles of development are supported by the policies in the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Mrs Jackson explained that the site is located in the town centre where residents will have the opportunity to walk or cycle to the amenities in the market town and, therefore, it represents sustainable development which should be seen as a significant benefit as it will result in new housing in a town centre location. She added that concerns have been raised with regard to the appearance of the development and the impact on the character of the area, however, the proposal represents residential development in a residential location and, therefore, in principle would appear to conform with its surroundings.

Mrs Jackson added that there are many existing structures positioned to the rear of the existing dwellings and, therefore, the dwelling would not look out of place, making the point that the proposal has been specifically designed to be three quarter style in order to have less of a visual impact, so that it does not compete with the other two storey dwellings in the area. She explained that, following the survey work carried out on site, it was noted that a small bin collection lorry could access the site, which already services the neighbouring properties to collect the refuse and recycling bins and she added that with this in mind there is no need for future residents to drag a wheelie bin for collection.

Mrs Jackson referred to some concerns that have been raised with regard to parking and highways safety and made the point that the highway authority have raised no objection to the proposal on technical grounds and the parking spaces have been set back to allow for a six metre clearance from the other side of the road and measure 2.55 metres, with this arrangement being accepted across the board and is the same arrangement that is found in supermarkets. She expressed the view that the point raised with regard to increased traffic as being unreasonable, given that the site is already frequented by the applicant and is an area which is already trafficked by existing users, with the traffic generated by the existing gym being offset by the dwelling and the vehicular movements will be easily absorbed into the existing situation and the Highway Authority have raised no issue.

Mrs Jackson stated that there are no technical objections to the development, there is community support for the proposal and  ...  view the full minutes text for item P94/20

To determine the application.

Alison Hoffman presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure, from Mr Matthew Hall, the Agent.

Mr Hall explained that the applicant for the site is 77 years old and has owned the land for a significant number of years, prior to selling the majority of the land, which is now Linden Drive, and then re purchasing the application site land in 1998, with the site having always been under private ownership and has never been owned by the Council. He stated that the application members are considering, had previous approval for two bungalows and garages in 1998 and he has reviewed the application which was refused in 2018, which was for two dwellings set close to boundaries, reworking the proposal and reducing it to a single storey three bedroomed bungalow in similar appearance to others on the estate.

Mr Hall added that there have been a number of letters of support received and no letters of objection. He made the point that the Council have recently granted permission in principle for a dwelling at 10-14 Bedford View in Manea on a piece of land, which was agreed in 2005 as a public play space, but was never used for that purpose and that proposal has two storey dwellings either side and is only approximately 9 to 11 metres wide, where this proposal being determined is in excess of 20 metres.

Mr Hall referred to the officer’s report and stated that the applicant is happy for conditions to be applied with regards to landscaping and materials. He added that members will note that all of the existing properties have a driveway but do not have a turning area and reverse out onto the road.

Mr Hall stated that discussions have taken place with numbers 25 and 26 Linden Drive, with both properties having written a letter of support and have been kept fully informed and following the discussions the garage has been moved. He stated that the proposal is for a single storey dwelling with no overlooking concerns, the site is in Flood Zone 1, there are no highway objections and adequate parking provision.

Mr Hall stated that there are no objections from the Conservation Officer, or any other consultees and Chatteris Town Council are in support of the proposal along with much local support from the residents in Linden Drive.

Members asked Mr Hall the following questions:

·         Councillor Meekins stated that within the officer’s report it makes reference to a map of the area and behind the proposal site there is a square area, which is unmarked and has no access to it, and he questioned whether it is a parcel of land in the ownership of the applicant? Mr Hall stated that the land directly behind the proposal site, which is shown as Chatteris on the plan, is not owned by the applicant and it is his understanding that the land is owned by 16 London Road.

·         Councillor Meekins referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item P95/20

To determine the application.

Alison Hoffman presented the report to members:

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure, from Shanna Jackson, the Agent.

Mrs Jackson stated that the application is for the erection of 2 storey side extension and the formation of a pitched roof above the garage, with the proposal following a previous application for an extension, which have been completed and the previous application also included a pitched roof over the garage, but this aspect had been removed following concerns raised by the officer at the time with regard to it being out of keeping with the area. She stated that the dwelling is not a Listed Building and the site is not within the curtilage or the setting of a Listed Building or a Conservation Area, therefore, there are no strict guidelines governing the site and there is no complete uniformity amongst properties within the area.

Mrs Jackson expressed the view that the flat roof at the dwelling is in need of replacement, hence the pitched roof application and typically a flat roof would have a 10 -15 year life span and a tiled pitched roof typically is 60 years. She stated that the applicant wishes to invest in his property to ensure it remains a quality property, which he can continue to reside in and the new pitched garage roof will not only function better and result in a higher quality property, but will also be visually appealing and add to the character of the property and these additions outweigh any concerns of the roof not matching the one next door.

Mrs Jackson made the point that that proposal had initially received the officers support, but once further investigative work had been carried out on the planning history of the dwelling, the positive recommendation was changed to the refusal. She stated that there are 12 letters of support from local residents and support from the Town Council and, in her opinion, the formation of the pitched roof on the garage will not appear incongruous and will enhance the character, function and quality of the dwelling, which will benefit the occupiers. 

Members asked Mrs Jackson the following questions:

·         Councillor Sutton referred to Mrs Jackson stating that the life expectancy of a flat roof would be ten years and he asked whether she would agree that there are materials available nowadays for flat roofs where a longer life expectancy would be the case? She stated that she had sought guidance and had been advised that a typical industry standard flat roof would have a 10 -15 year life expectancy, however, a tiled roof would certainly outlive a flat roof in terms of its functionality and performance.

·         Councillor Miscandlon stated that he is aware that the installation of a recent flat roof, has a guarantee of a minimum of 20 years, however, he agreed a pitched roof will last longer. He added that although it is not in a Conservation Area, there are certain criteria within the area which  ...  view the full minutes text for item P96/20

To determine the application.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.