Erection of two storey extensions to 77 and 77a Eastbury Road and conversion to 2 x 3 bedroom and 2 x 2 bedroom flats.  Erection of detached building comprising 2 x 2 bedroom flats.  New parking provision of 6 spaces plus associated garden areas and landscaping

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

The Head of Development Management explained that the application was for the erection of two storey extensions to 77 and 77a Eastbury Road and conversion to flats. In addition, it was proposed to erect a detached building comprising 2 flats.  The development would include new parking provision plus associated garden areas and landscaping.

There were no speakers and the Chair invited comments from the committee.

Members of the committee expressed reservations about the design of the proposed extensions, which were considered bulky and unattractive.  However, it was acknowledged that the design complied fully with the guidelines in the Residential Design Guide and did not provide grounds for refusal.

The committee also noted the pressures on parking in the local area, which would be exacerbated by the development despite the provision of six parking spaces.

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

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:-

            900/16/03, 04, 05, 06

3.         No development shall commence until details of the materials to be used for the external walls and the roof have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out only in accordance with the approved materials.

4.         No dwelling hereby approved shall be occupied until the following works have been carried out in full:

i)          The construction of the 6 car parking spaces and associated crossovers as shown on drawing no. 900/16/05;

ii)         The construction of the 3 cycle/bin stores as shown on drawing nos. 900/16/05 and 900/16/10;

iii)        The formation of the private garden areas, including all fencing and paved areas, as shown on the approved Landscape Scheme drawing dated 28^th March 2017.

5.         The soft landscaping scheme, as shown on the approved Landscape Scheme drawing dated 28^th March 2017, shall be carried out in the first available planting season following the completion off the development. Any trees or plants whether new or existing which within a period of five years die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, or in accordance with details approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Informatives

1.         You are advised of the need to comply with the provisions of The Control of Pollution Act 1974, The Health & 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.

2.         This development may be considered a chargeable development for the purposes of the Community Infrastructure Regulations 2010  (as amended). The charge is non-negotiable and is calculated at the time planning permission is granted. The charge is based on the net increase of gross internal floor area of the proposed development.

            A person or party must assume liability to pay the levy using the assumption of liability form 1 which should be sent to the CIL Officer, Regeneration and Development, Watford Borough Council, Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX or via email (semeta.bloomfield@watford.gov.uk).

            If nobody assumes liability to pay the levy this will default to the land owner.  A Liability Notice will be issued in due course. Failure to adhere to the Regulations and commencing work without notifying the Council could forfeit any rights you have to appeal or pay in instalments and may also incur fines/surcharges.

3.         All new units granted planning permission and to be constructed require naming or numbering under the Public Health Act 1925. You must contact Watford Borough Council Street Naming and Numbering department as early as possible prior to commencement on streetnamenumber@watford.gov.uk or 01923 278458. A numbering notification will be issued by the council, following which Royal Mail will assign a postcode which will make up the official address. It is also the responsibility of the developer to inform Street Naming and Numbering when properties are ready for occupancy.

4.         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 2010, as amended. The Council also gave advice and sought amendments during the application process.