Garden annexe at Bottom Flat, 9 Stocker Road, Bognor Regis

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval because the proposal complied with relevant policies and would not harm the area or neighbouring residential amenity.

“The proposal complies with relevant Development Plan policies in that it does not result in harm to the character of the area or the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers.”

“NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTIAL AMENITY The annexe would be adjacent to the western boundary, and be positioned directly adjacent to the rear garden of 11 Stocker Road. The annexe may result in some increased overbearing impact on the neighbouring garden (a care home). The annexe partially replaces a structure, and there are existing outbuildings belonging to the neighbouring property adjacent to the fence towards the front and rear of the property.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The town council objected to overdevelopment, changes to the established pattern, possible overlooking and insufficient design information; no nearby occupier representations were received.

“No representations were received from nearby occupiers. COMMENTS ON REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED: Comments noted. The plans are to scale and contain an acceptable level of detail as required by the validation requirements, including the position of openings. Clarification has been sought from the agent regarding proposed materials, and the level of information is sufficient to assess the proposals. CONSULTATIONS CONSULTATION RESPONSES RECEIVED: None.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke, and the senior planning officer explained the annexe’s relationship to the ground-floor flat, its scale and proposed safeguards.

What members discussed

Members discussed possible future use as a separate dwelling, overdevelopment and potential noise from using the annexe as a gym.

“Members sought clarification on a number of points during the debate. One Member queried the concern raised by the Town Council regarding potential overdevelopment and expressed particular concern about the possibility of the annexe being used as a permanent separate dwelling in the future. The Member also raised the issue of potential noise disturbance, particularly if the building were used as a gym.”

“In response, the Senior Planning Officer advised that a condition had been attached to the permission requiring the annexe to remain ancillary to the host property, specifically the ground floor flat, which would prevent its use as a separate independent dwelling.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission.

“No further questions were raised, upon the recommendation being put to the vote, the Committee resolved unanimously to grant planning permission.”

Minutes