Garage conversion at 33 Willowbourne, Fleet

What was proposed

The proposal would convert part of the garage into habitable space by bricking up the garage door and installing a window.

“Proposal The proposal is for a garage conversion to a habitable space. This will involve the bricking up of the garage door and the installation of a window. A planning application was required for this due to Condition 6 of 07/02949/MAJOR and condition 16 of 08/01613/MAJOR which restrict the use of the garage to vehicle parking only.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a two-storey modern dwelling with an integral garage, a two-car driveway and landscaping within Fleet’s settlement boundary.

“Description of the site The application property is a two storey, modern dwelling located on Willowbourne, within the settlement boundary of Fleet. It has an exterior finish consisting of…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council and a councillor objected to hardstanding, tree removal, inaccurate plans, parking access and policy conflicts; the town council maintained its objection after revision.

“Consultee comments Cllr Steve Forster – Objection to the plans submitted due to inaccuracies in adequately representing the green space and magnolia tree. Also noted the lack of a drop curb to facilitate parking. – Received 20.01.2026 Fleet Town Council – Objection to new hardstanding, removal of magnolia tree, breach of policy 15 of Fleet Neighbourhood Plan and Saved Policy GEN1.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Five residents objected over parking, hardstanding, character, amenity, the magnolia tree, loss of symmetry, front garden changes and possible precedent.

“Public representations Objections from five local residents: • Objection to the propose additional parking space and new hardstanding. • Objection on the grounds of the impact to local character, loss of amenity value of 35 Willowbourne, damage to magnolia tree and the possibility of a local precedent being set.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Members’ questions

Members asked about the household, the property’s history, permitted development restrictions, enforcement and whether the garage could fit current family cars.

“the number of bedrooms at the property • how many cars in the household • how long the applicant had lived at the property • whether the utility area had been in the garage from new build in 2008”

“whether they held the original plans for the property • permitted development restrictions placed on properties on the Edenbrook development • whether enforcement action could be taken in the circumstances due to the garage not having been used to park a car for more than ten years • current parking standards and whether the size of the garage could accommodate current family cars…”

Minutes

The vote

The recommendation was moved and seconded, and the Committee voted by show of hands to approve it.

“The recommendation was moved by Cllr Oliver (Chairman) and seconded by Cllr Worlock. In a show of hands, the Committee voted to approve the recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

“The Committee agreed that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report.”

Minutes