House extension and garage conversion at 31 Shepperton Close, Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes

What was proposed

The application proposed a rear extension, a first-floor extension over the garage, garage conversion and a new front parking space.

“It is proposed to erect a single storey rear extension to extend the existing living area and kitchen, first floor extension over the garage to create an additional bedroom, undertake a garage conversion to create a downstairs bathroom and utility room, and create a new hardstanding to provide a new parking space on the front driveway.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The property is a two-storey semi-detached house with a set-back garage, and nearby homes include similar garage conversions and extensions.

“The application site is a red brick two-storey three-bedroom semi-detached dwelling with an attached single garage that is set back from the main dwellinghouse, located on Shepperton Close and is within the residential area of Castlethorpe. The character of the area includes houses in a mock style with similar materials, including window design, with set-back linked or detached garages.”

“The property has its permitted development rights removed for extensions, alterations, outbuildings and boundary treatments. The application site is within an amber Great Crested Newts (GCNs) Risk Area, and as such GCNs are likely to be present. There is an archaeological notification site approximately 80 metres to the east of the site and the site is within a 250 metres landfill buffer. The property has one off street parking space.”

Officer report

Planning history

The application site has no planning history, while nearby properties have approvals for conservatories, garage extensions and a garage conversion recommendation.

“Site to the northwest – 33 Shepperton Close, MK19 7HR”

“22/00177/ENF Conversion of the garage into living accommodation Recommendation – not expedient…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the development would preserve character, protect neighbours’ amenity, maintain neutral parking impact and address protected-species risks through conditions.

“The proposed development would not adversely impact the existing application property, no 31 Shepperton Close. The proposed extension would reduce the depth of the dwelling's private amenity space from approximately 12.6 metres to 9.1 metres, which is slightly below the 10m depth recommended by the NRDDG. The NRDDG allows for shorter gardens (7-8 metres) for properties with wide frontages.”

“In conclusion, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of scale, design and appearance, remaining subordinate to the host dwelling and preserving the character and visual amenity of the area. The development would not result in any harmful impact on the amenity or privacy of neighbouring residents or future occupiers.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The parish council objected to the garage window’s appearance, while one neighbour raised concerns about dominance, light, separation, overlooking and privacy.

“Objection, stating that the proposed development would disrupt the front view of the property that is visible from the street scene with an out of character window in the converted garage and would therefore not comply with Character Area 2 of Policy CAS4 of the Castlethorpe Neighbourhood Plan, as well as Policy D2 and D3 of Plan:MK.”

“Overbearing and dominant structure; ▪ Loss of light; ▪ Impact on visual separation of the semi-detached properties;”

Officer report

Who spoke

The parish council chair objected, and the applicant spoke in support, citing the distinctive area and similar alterations nearby.

What members debated

Members questioned the parking assessment and neighbourhood-plan interpretation before accepting that existing parking shortfall would not worsen and overall design consistency was sufficient.

“The applicant, spoke in support of the proposal. She advised that a number of nearby properties had already undertaken similar alterations and argued that the proposal would not appear out of character within the wider estate, highlighting examples of changes in the area of a similar style. The Committee queried the parking assessment and asked how the impact could be considered neutral where the dwelling would continue to fall below parking standards.”

“A Councillor commended the Parish Council's efforts to preserve the character of the area but accepted that there were insufficient planning reasons to refuse the proposal. The Chair concluded that the proposal would maintain overall design consistency and noted that other garage conversions existed within the area. RESOLVED - That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the main report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission required matching materials, great crested newt avoidance measures and construction of the new parking space before occupation.

“No development (including groundworks) shall commence until a Statement of Reasonable Avoidance Measures for Great Crested Newts (GCN) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The development shall thereafter be carried out in full accordance with the approved Statement.”

“Prior to the occupation of the extensions hereby approved, the parking space shown on Proposed Site Plan (drawing no. 31SC-MTB-BP-002) shall be fully constructed and available for use. The new parking space shall be retained as approved throughout the lifetime of the development.”

Officer report