The committee received the report of the Head of Development Management, which included the relevant planning history of the site and details of the responses to the application. 

The Principal Planning Officer (SH) introduced the item, explaining that the application proposed the conversion of the garage into a habitable space, the installation of rooflight windows to the front roofslope, the addition of a bay window to the front elevation and works to infill the existing semi-open porch.

The Chair invited Mr William Murray, a local resident, to speak against the application.  Speaking on behalf of local residents, Mr Murray outlined a long history of planning applications from the current owner and the impact of on-going alterations to surrounding properties. 

Residents were particularly concerned about the roof elevation, which appeared to have been raised, and about the loss of trees and landscaping to the garden.  These were considered to be out of keeping with surrounding properties.

The Principal Planning Officer advised that officers had inspected the property and concluded that there had been no appreciable change in the height of the roof.  Moreover, any change that may have occurred was insufficient to impact on the character or appearance of the property.

The Chair invited comments from the committee.

Whilst sympathetic to the disruption caused to, and concerns of, local residents, committee members did not consider that there were planning grounds to refuse the current application. 

The committee concluded that changes proposed in the application were largely cosmetic and in keeping with the character of the area.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below:

1.      The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawings:13/16-02-LP01; 13/16-02-PL01 Rev B – amended plan received 04.08.16; 13/16-02-PL02 Rev B – amended plan received 11.08.16; 13/16-02-PL03 Rev G – amended plan received 08.08.16; 13/16-02-PL04 Rev G – amended plan received 09.08.16.

3.      All the external surfaces shall be finished in materials to match the colour, texture and style of the existing building. In the event of matching materials not being available, details of any alternative materials shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the development and the development shall only be carried out in accordance with any alternative details approved by this condition.

Informatives

1.             In dealing with this application, Watford Borough Council has considered the proposal in a positive and proactive manner having regard to the policies of the development plan as well as paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework and other material considerations, and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

2.             This planning permission does not remove the need to obtain any separate consent of the owner of the adjoining property prior to commencing building works on, under, above or immediately adjacent to their property (e.g. foundations or guttering). The Party Wall Etc Act 1996 contains requirements to serve notice on adjoining owners of property under certain circumstances, and a procedure exists for resolving disputes.  This is a matter of civil law between the two parties, and the Local Planning Authority are not involved in such matters.  A free guide called "The Party Wall Etc Act 1996: Explanatory Booklet" is available on the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/393927/Party_Wall_etc__Act_1996_-_Explanatory_Booklet.pdf

3.             This permission does not remove the need to obtain any separate consent, which may be required under the Buildings Act 1984 or other building control legislation. Nor does it override any private rights which any person may have relating to the land affected by this decision.

          To find out more information and for advice as to whether a Building Regulations application will be required please visit www.watfordbuildingcontrol.com.

4.      You are advised of the need to comply with the provisions of The Control of Pollution Act 1974, The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Clean Air Act 1993 and The Environmental Protection Act 1990.

          In order to minimise impact of noise, any works associated with the development which are audible at the site boundary should be restricted to the following hours:

·        Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

·        Saturdays 8am to 1pm

·        Noisy work is prohibited on Sundays and bank holidays.

          Instructions should be given to ensure that vehicles and plant entering and leaving the site comply with the stated hours of work.

          Further details for both the applicant and those potentially affected by construction noise can be found on the Council's website at: https://www.watford.gov.uk/info/20010/your_environment/188/neighbour_complaints_%E2%80%93_construction_noise