Agenda item

Retrospective application to modify the ridge height of the approved development, to relocate one bedroom from the second floor to the roofspace, and to insert two rooflights.

Councillor Diana Lugova encountered technical communication problems during the presentation of this item. The councillor was unable to participate in or hear the whole debate and did not vote on this application.

Councillor Paul Barrow left the meeting prior to the discussion of this application and therefore did not participate in the debate or the voting on this application.

Councillor Ron Batstone, a local ward councillor, stood down from the committee for consideration of this item.

The committee considered application P20/V2810/FUL, a retrospective application to modify the ridge height of the approved development, to relocate one bedroom from the second floor to the roof space, and to insert two rooflights at Brakspear’s Yard, Denchworth Road, Grove, Wantage.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting.

The planning officer reported that this was a retrospective planning application for changes to a development of 14 flats in Grove, which was nearly completed. The application sought permission for changes made between the development as approved and the development as built. The changes were reported as; an increase in the height of the ridge and gables of the main three-storey element of the building by approximately 600mm, from 11.7m to 12.3m. This represented a 5% increase in height. Also, there had been a relocation of one bedroom in flat 10 from the second floor to the roof space, with the addition of two rooflights in the front, west elevation. The changes did not entail an increase in the number of bedrooms, and therefore there was no impact upon the parking arrangements, which remained as approved and were satisfactory. Two new rooflights in the west elevation looked towards the open space in front of the development on the opposite side of Denchworth Road. Approved upper floor windows also looked in this direction. Therefore, officers considered that the rooflights caused no harm to neighbours from overlooking.

The planning officer also reported that a further representation from a neighbour had been received since the publication of the agenda. This had requested tree screening to the rear of the development. This was a statement by Mr Peter Pritchard and had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer on Friday 3 March 2021.

In concluding, the planning officer reported that the footprint of the development had not increased and that the impact of the development upon neighbours and their privacy was too small to represent harm. Consequently, officers considered the development as built complied with relevant policies of the development plan, and was acceptable.

Allister Godfrey, the agent, spoke in support of the application. A statement by Mr. Godfrey had been circulated to the committee by the democratic services officer prior to the meeting.

Councillor Ron Batstone, a local ward councillor, spoke to the application.

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P20/V2810/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

Compliance

1.  Approved plans

2.  Remove Rights for Further Roof Accommodation