Nursery garden outbuilding at Footprints Children And Family Centre, Worthing

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a single-storey timber outbuilding in the front garden, used as additional nursery floorspace.

“This application seeks retrospective consent for the erection of a single storey outbuilding in the front garden of Pumpkin Patch Nursery.”

“The outbuilding is approximately 4.5 m by 4.5 metres and 2.7m tall with a flat roof. It is finished in treated timber weatherboarding with dark grey window and door frames. It is in use as additional floorspace for the nursery.”

Officer report

The site

The nursery occupies a former two-storey detached dwelling in a conservation area, with parking to the front and a hedged garden beside Westbrooke.

“The site is located on the eastern side of Crescent Road at the junction with Westbrooke. It is within the Richmond Road Conservation Area. The main building is a two-storey former detached dwelling which is now occupied by a nursery. The building has its front entrance on Crescent Road.”

“The site has car parking to the front (western) side of the building and the nursery’s garden is located to the southern side of the building where it abuts Westbrooke. The garden is screened by a tall laurel hedge.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered the nursery, its capacity increase, outdoor spaces and boundary fencing, while a retrospective acoustic fence application was refused.

“AWDM/2005/22: Application for approval of Details Reserved by Conditions 4 (Outdoor Spaces) and 5 (Boundary Fence) of previously approved AWDM/0905/22. Approved 09/02/2023”

“AWDM/1293/22: Retrospective application for timber acoustic fence on top of the existing wall on the south and west side of Nursery. Refused…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the nursery provides an education and community function, the conservation area would be preserved and residents would not be harmed.

“While operating as a private business the nursery provides an education and community function as they provide government funded early education for children.”

“The scheme has been reviewed by the Council's conservation architect and the Worthing Society who have confirmed they have no objection to the scheme. The conservation architect explains that the new garden structure is screened from public views from most directions, only a small section being visible over the existing garden hedge planting.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The conservation architect considered the conservation area preserved, while the Worthing Society raised concerns that further structures could detract from the historic building’s setting.

“Conservation architect: This application site lies within the Richmond Road Conservation Area. The local planning authority is under a general duty to ensure the preservation and enhancement of a conservation area. The new garden structure is screened from public views from most directions, only a small section being visible over the existing garden hedge planting. In the circumstances the character and appearance of the conservation area will, in my opinion, be preserved.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Two objections concerned design, visibility, conservation, noise, outdoor space, parking, management plans, precedent and the nursery’s operation.

“- Name of nursery is incorrect - Unsatisfactory manner in which nursery operates with disregard for neighbours, no empathy with being in a conservation area and poor adherence to planning conditions - The site is situated in the Richmond Road Conservation Area and the structure takes no account of this in terms of its location within the site, its scale and materials used. It has not been constructed in accordance with permitted standards for conservation areas.”

“- Planning Committee initially voted to refuse the original application for change of use. However, members then retired “in committee” where the public were not present, and then changed their minds. - The garden is not laid out as a high quality outdoor environment. It’s over developed, used mostly as a noisy play area and not simply as a quiet learning space. The structure further reduces the footprint of the actual garden.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Planning Development Manager presented the report, and Councillor Whorlow explained the committee call-in before proposing approval.

The vote

The proposal was seconded and approved unanimously.

“The Planning Development Manager presented the report, providing a brief overview of the site’s planning history. Members’ attention was directed to the following late updates: ● Councillor Representation: Councillor Davie (Central Ward) registered formal support for the application.”

“This was seconded and, following a vote, it was resolved unanimously to grant planning permission. Decision - Approved as recommended. The Committee required that the condition should require the hedge to be retained to not less than 2m in height, to provide screening.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted as recommended, with approved plans, retained two-metre hedge screening and advice to replace artificial northern screening with natural vegetation.

“Approved Plans 2. Screening to be retained…”

Minutes