Agenda item

20/03181/FHA - 3 St Katherines Way, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1DA

Minutes:

The report was introduced by the case officer Natasha Vernal

 

It was proposed by Councillor Wyatt-Lowe and seconded by Councillor Riddick that the application be Granted

 

Vote:

 

For:        10      against:           0          Abstained:       1

 

Resolved:  GRANTED

 

Condition(s) and Reason(s):

 

1.        The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

           

            Reason:  To comply with the requirements of Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 (1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

 

2.        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans/documents:

           

            - 105.2 A

            - 105.3 A

           

            Reason:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

3.        The development hereby permitted shall be constructed in accordance with the materials specified on the application form.

           

            Reason:  To make sure that the appearance of the building is suitable and that it contributes to the character of the area in accordance with Policies CS11 and CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Core Strategy (2013).

 

4.        The flank windows at first floor level in the southern elevation of the extension hereby permitted shall be non-opening below 1.7m and permanently fitted with obscured glass unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

           

            Reason: In the interests of the residential amenities of the occupants of the adjacent dwellings in accordance with Policy CS12 (c) of the Dacorum Borough Council Core Strategy (2013) and Paragraph 127 (f) of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019).

Informatives:

 

 1.        Planning permission has been granted for this proposal. Discussion with the applicant to seek an acceptable solution was not necessary in this instance. The Council has therefore acted pro-actively in line with the requirements of the Framework (paragraph 38) and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2015.

 

APPENDIX A: CONSULTEE RESPONSES

 

Consultee

Comments

Parish/Town Council

Objection        

           

The Committee's objection had not altered from when the application was last considered in October 2020, which is that it proposes a significant overdevelopment of the site. They also noted objections from neighbouring residents on the portal.            

           

CS12

Archaeology Unit (HCC)

Please note that we have no comments to make on the above application.

Parish/Town Council

Objection        

           

The application proposes a significant overdevelopment of the site.            

           

CS12

 

APPENDIX B: NEIGHBOUR RESPONSES

 

Number of Neighbour Comments

 

Neighbour

Consultations

Contributors

Neutral

Objections

Support

8

4

0

4

0

 

Neighbour Responses

 

Address

 

Comments

1 Mortain Drive          

Berkhamsted 

Hertfordshire  

HP4 1JZ

Objection to AMENDED plans:         

1. As my property is already several feet below the ground level of no.3 the additional height of a two storey building and loft extension will be overbearing. This is definitely an over development. It is too high, too close to my property and a visual intrusion.  

2. My hedges on the boundary will be affected and 

3. The side window intrudes on privacy.

 

1 Mortain Drive          

Berkhamsted 

Hertfordshire  

HP4 1JZ         

 

I am objecting to the erection of the Two Storey Side Extension and Loft Conversion proposal for the following reasons:        

           

1.         Visual Intrusion          

a.         My property is already several feet below the ground level of no: 3, therefore, to have the additional height of a two storey building and the additional depth of the box type loft extension overlooking my property, would be extremely overbearing and a visual intrusion.    

           

b.         At present I look at a nice soft hedge which helps with my wellbeing.  If planning permission is granted, I will be looking at a massive brick wall with huge box looming over my property.           

           

2.         Loss of Privacy          

a.         Window will overlook my property.    

           

3.         Hedge/Trees  

a.         My hedge/trees will be affected and destroyed as this is on the border to which they intend to build up to.    

           

           

I would be extremely grateful if someone could come to my house and see for themselves the impact this will have.

 

4 Mortain Drive          

Berkhamsted 

Hertfordshire  

HP4 1JZ         

 

The design of the proposed works represents a complete loss of privacy as it will overlook my property in its entirety with direct views into bedrooms and provide a complete view of the land.

Having reviewed the amended plans, I object to the proposition.    

           

1. The proposed works would completely over look my property with direct views into bedrooms and bathroom and rear of my property in its entirety. This represents a direct invasion of privacy.           

           

2. The proposed works will block the sunlight for an additional two hours as it passes across the horizon during autumn and winter where the sun is low. This represents a loss of light that enters my house and passes over my garden.        

           

3. The proposed works will add additional height over the garage, effectively doubling the size of the shadow the property casts and blocking the sky with building. As the property is building higher up on the hill, expanding its frame will create a very real sense of being over-watched as the building looms over my property and neighbouring properties.      

           

4. General dislike of the proposal given that sky is replaced with building. The work represents significant over development of a property and impacts a number of neighbouring properties due to the existing increased height. Whilst I empathise with the proposal, the impact of light, loss of privacy, and replacing neighbours views with brickwork doesn't balance out. There will be a very measurable devaluation of neighbouring properties should this work proceed.  

           

5. The style indicated in the proposal isn’t quite in keeping with the other properties and doesn’t sit well. It looks crammed in to land that doesn’t support it. It is a classic example of over development that will jar with the look of the neighbourhood.

 

3 Mortain Drive          

Berkhamsted 

Hertfordshire  

The rear of the property will extend 3.5 additional meters to the rear and then there is a patio added on. There is an additional floor. These will now both look directly into my garden and property. I think that this is a significant overdevelopment

 

 

Supporting documents: