Retrospective summer house at 26 Highgate Meadowsdalton Piercy, Hartlepool

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a single-storey detached outbuilding in the rear garden, to serve as a summer room.

“This application seeks retrospective planning permission for the erection of a single storey detached outbuilding in the rear garden of 26 Highgate Meadows to serve a summer room.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The bungalow has a private rear garden, surrounding fencing, neighbouring homes and Ancient Woodland beyond its northern boundary.

“The application site relates to a relatively new build, detached, south-facing bungalow located in Dalton Piercy, Hartlepool. The site is bounded to the west side by No. Highgate Meadows (albeit the orientation of plots around the estate are such that the rear garden of the application property is to the north of the rear garden serving No. Highgate Meadows); the application site rear garden is also bounded by the rear garden of No.”

“The host dwelling benefits from a private rear amenity space, a detached garage to the front/side and a boundary treatment of a 1.8 metre fence surrounding the private rear amenity area.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions approved the estate, later layout changes, seven additional bungalows and the subdivision of one plot into three dwellings.

“H/2019/0094 - Section 73 application for the variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of planning approval H/2015/0353 for residential development comprising 31 two, three and four bedroomed bungalows to allow for amendments to the approved site layout (including alterations to the internal road layout, driveways, garage positions, landscaping, easements and dwelling positions), and amendments to the approved garages and house types (including amendments to finishing…”

“Further permissions were granted for the erection of an additional 7 bungalows to the west of the original 31 dwellings (ref H/2021/0096, decision date13/09/2024) and for the sub-division of plot 5 (of the original 31 dwellings) to create 3 dwellings (ref H/2022/0046, approved 13/09/2024).”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the structure acceptable in design, neighbour amenity, ecology, landscaping, highway safety and parking terms, subject to conditions.

“The main planning considerations with respect to this application are the impact on the character and appearance of the existing bungalow and surrounding street scene, the impact on the amenity and privacy of neighbouring properties, the impact on highway safety and car parking, and impact on ecology/trees/landscaping. These, and any other planning matters, are considered below.”

“Planning Committee – 12 August 2026 4.1 48 3 - 4.1 Planning Applications Hartlepool Borough Council boundary treatments providing sufficient screening. As such, it is considered that the proposal would not result in a significant unacceptable impact on the amenity of No 23 Highgate Meadows in terms of loss of outlook, overbearing or overshadowing to the neighbour (and the immediate rear amenity area) as to warrant a refusal of the application in this instance.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the application, the agent attended without speaking further, and no objectors attended.

Members’ discussion

A Member asked about the 15-metre woodland buffer, and the Planning Team Leader explained how the buffer and no-build area had been arranged.

“Planning Committee – 25 th September 2026 3.1 2 - 3.1 26.08.12 - Planning Committee Minutes and Decision Record 8 Hartlepool Borough Council Agent: DNS DESIGNS LTD MR DENIS NOBLE UNIT 26, THE BIS 13-17 WHITBY STREET HARTLEPOOL TS24 7AD Date received: 28/05/2026 Development: Erection of detached summer house within rear garden (retrospective) Location: HIGHGATE MEADOWS DALTON PIERCY HARTLEPOOL The Senior Planning Officer outlined the application.”

“In response, the Planning (DC) Team Leader advised the original estate had been approved approximately 10 years ago and the 15m ‘buffer’ to the woodland was agreed at the time to be made up of 10-meter buffer from fence to the edge of woodland and a 5-meter ‘no build’ area within the dwelling gardens with associated permitted development rights for outbuildings being removed by way of a planning condition.”

Minutes

Approval conditions

The approval requires a two-metre fence, compliance with the approved plans and use of the outbuilding only for purposes incidental to the dwelling.

“Within a period of 2 months from date of this decision notice, a 2 metres high (from the given ground level) closed boarded fence (or such provision shall be made to increase the height of the existing boundary fence to 2 metres in height from the given ground level) shall be erected along the full length of the shared boundary with 25 Highgate Meadows (south) as annotated on plan DWG NO.”

“The single storey outbuilding hereby approved shall only be used for purposes incidental to the use of the dwellinghouse at No. Highgate Meadows and for no other purpose. To ensure a satisfactory form of development and the amenities of neighbouring occupiers.”

Minutes