Five apartments at Northcroft, Heswall

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing a dwelling and outbuilding and building five apartments, five garages, parking, landscaping, refuse and cycle storage.

“Location: NORTHCROFT, 282 - 284 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SG Proposal: Proposed demolition of the existing dwelling and outbuilding and the proposed erection of 5No. apartments, together with single storey outbuilding to provide 5No. garages, and associated landscaping, improved access, parking, refuse and cycle storage (amended description and drawings). Applicant: [the applicant] : [name withheld]…”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for six apartments in one building was withdrawn.

“Planning History: APP/25/00477 Demolition of the existing dwelling and erection of 6No. apartments in a single building, together with associated landscaping, improved access, parking, bin and cycle storage. Withdrawn…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was acceptable in principle and would not cause significant harm to character, neighbours, future residents or highway safety.

“Under National Policy L2, the proposal is also required to be consistent within the overall street scene, maintain safe access and provide acceptable living standards to future occupiers and neighbours, which the proposal does achieve (these points are assessed in further detail within the report). Policy WS 7 (B.3) states that development proposals should ensure that the density, height, scale, massing and siting is appropriate in context.”

“To conclude, the proposed development would be larger in size and scale than the original dwellinghouse. When considering policies L2 and L3 of the NPPF and local policies WS 3 and WS 7, the proposed development increases the density of dwellinghouses within a settlement to an acceptable degree making efficient use of the land whilst also having regard to the character of the site and wider area.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Council consultees raised no objections, although highways, transport and trees requested conditions or provided an informative.

“CONSULTATIONS BNG Officer – no objection. Highways Assets – no objection, informative provided. Traffic & Transportation – no objection subject to condition and informative. Tree Officer – no objection subject to condition. Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service – no objection. United Utilities – no objection.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents objected to the development’s scale, parking, traffic, neighbour impacts, character, wildlife, flooding, construction and loss of the existing home.

“Comments made within submitted representations are summarised below: • Impacts to neighbour amenity including loss of privacy/overlooking, loss of light/overshadowing, overbearing; • Noise and light pollution; exhaust fumes; heavy refuse vehicles manoeuvring will cause disturbance and disruption; bin storage will cause smells and attract vermin; • Traffic and road safety issues; • Impacts to childminding business; • Parking pressures; lack of adequate on-site parking; •…”

“Overdevelopment; out of character with the existing; residential density of the area; three-storey apartment block will appear bulky and intrusive within the street scene; dominant the small cottage behind; detrimental visual impact; materials and design not in keeping; • Erosion of local village character and identity; • Poll Hill Road is one of the oldest areas of Heswall; many houses of historical importance including the house in question; • Overcrowded; increase…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent addressed the committee and answered questions from members.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to conditions and completion of a section 106 agreement.

“The Assistant Director – Chief Planner be authorised to approve the application subject to the following conditions and subject to the completion of an agreement pursuant to section 106 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 to be prepared, in accordance with section 8.10 of this report…”

“That the Assistant Director-Chief Planner be authorised to refuse the application in the event that a satisfactory section 106 agreement is not received within 6 months of the date on which Planning Committee resolve to approve the application unless an extension of time is agreed to the satisfaction of the Assistant Director-Chief Planner in consultation with the Chair and Spokespersons of the Planning Committee.”

Minutes