Minutes:
(i)
No. 329
Pinewood Park, Farnborough –
The
Committee received the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1536 regarding the
insertion of a first-floor window in the side elevation of No. 329 Pinewood
Park, Farnborough. The Committee was informed that the property was situated in
a terrace of similar properties and the dwellings were arranged in pairs which
were staggered relative to the next pair. This had resulted in some of the
properties, including No. 329, having a side elevation which, in this case,
adjoined the front garden of No. 331.
A
site visit had confirmed that a bathroom window had been installed in the flank
elevation of the building measuring 0.6 metres by 0.4 metres height. Planning
permission was required as it was set 1.7 metres above the floor level of the
bathroom and also because an Article 4 Direction in relation to Pinewood Park
had removed ‘permitted development’ rights for external alterations to the
premises. The window had also been identified as a potential source of
overlooking and loss of privacy to the neighbouring property due to the fact
that the opening part of the window was set lower than 1.7 metres above the
interior floor level (the height indicated as sufficient to safeguard privacy).
However, this was only by seven centimetres and given the open plan design of
the estate it was considered that the loss of privacy was not so great as to
merit further action.
It
was therefore considered that the unauthorised window would not cause any
significant material harm to the visual character of the area or to the
amenities of neighbours. In addition, planning permission would have been
granted by the Council if an application had been submitted. Therefore, in
accordance with Policy PE3 it was considered neither expedient nor reasonable
for the Council to take enforcement action in respect of the breach of planning
control that had taken place.
RESOLVED: That no further action be taken.
(ii)
No. 23 Juniper
Road, Farnborough –
The
Committee received the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1536 regarding the
conversion of a garage into a habitable room at No. 23 Juniper Road,
Farnborough. The property was a two storey detached house on the corner of
Juniper Road and Baywood Close and had an attached
garage over which was a room. The garage had been converted to form a habitable
room with no external alterations.
The
original planning permission (No. 91/00083/FUL) for the development of 96
residential units and associated infrastructure, had contained a condition that
any garages or parking spaces should be retained for parking purposes only.
Although the garage door remained in place, the garage was no longer available
to park a vehicle. Despite contact with the owner no planning application had
been submitted for the development.
The
Committee was informed that the Transportation Strategy Office was satisfied
that, even with the loss of the garage, there was sufficient off-road parking
at the property. It was therefore concluded that, as there had been no external
changes, the unauthorised conversion would not cause any material harm to the
visual character of the area, also no harm would be caused to the amenities of
the neighbours or highway safety. If a planning application had been submitted,
it would have been recommended for approval. Therefore, in accordance with
Policies CP2 and CP16 of the Core Strategy and saved Policy ENV17 of the Rushmoor Local Plan it was considered neither expedient nor
reasonable for the Council to take enforcement action in respect of the breach
of planning control.
RESOLVED: That no further action be taken.
(iii)
Delegated
Decisions to take Enforcement Action –
RESOLVED: The Committee noted the enforcement action taken by the Head of Planning in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, more particularly specified in the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1536.