Three one-bedroom flats at 4 Whitecotes Lane, Walton, Chesterfield

What was proposed

Permission was sought to change the dwelling into three one-bedroom flats with associated external alterations.

“Planning permission is sought for a change of use of the dwelling to 3.no one bedroom flats. Two of the flats have lounge-kitchen-diners and 1 flat has a separate kitchen, with all of them having separate bedrooms and bathrooms; all of the habitable (not including bathrooms) rooms have existing windows.”

“There is space to the front and side of the property for bin storage and parking for at least 3 vehicles. There is a 100 sqm rear garden space, with flat 1 only having access to this space. Each flat is over 37sqm in size. There are gates to the front of the site.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a two-storey semi-detached dwelling with a rear garden and front and side parking for three to four vehicles.

“This application concerns 4 Whitecotes Lane, which is located on the southern side of the street. The existing is a two storey semi-detached dwelling, with an existing flat roofed single storey rear extension. It has been previously used as a dwelling house. It has a garden to the rear and parking to the front and side for 3-4 vehicles.”

“The character of the surrounding area is for family houses. Whitecotes Lane is a busy through road and the junction with Boythorpe Road is 25m away. There is a cycle lane to the front of the site, with dwarf stone walls. The application site has a metal gate and fence (above the walls, with the previous landscaping on site cleared.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications included a permitted single-storey extension and applications concerning temporary office use, one withdrawn and one permitted.

“CHE/0592/0287 - Single storey extension to existing dwelling – Conditional Permission – 14/07/92”

“CHE/04/00504/FUL - Renewal of temporary permission for change of use of doctors dwelling to office use – Withdrawn – 12/07/04”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the proposal acceptable in principle, with acceptable design, residential amenity and highway impacts subject to conditions.

“The development is acceptable in principle, but it should also be noted that this proposal is a growth in housing numbers when a suitable supply of housing cannot be demonstrated. Therefore, in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 of the NPPF weight should be given to granting such sustainable development.”

“It is considered that the use of the property as 3 flats would have minimal additional impacts on neighbouring residents over and above the use of the building as a dwelling, with a similar amount of activity on site. The proposed scheme is considered to offer a reasonable level of amenity for neighbouring and future residents. The proposal is therefore acceptable in accordance with policy CLP14, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Highway Authority sought a parking plan, Environmental Health requested noise details, Private Housing raised no objection, and residents made no comment.

“Highway Authority Requested application to be deferred until a site plan showing parking on site is received.”

“Environmental Health Requested further details of noise transition between flats and attached neighbouring dwelling…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Principal Planner presented the report, photographs, floor plans and site plans, and explained the proposal and conditions.

The vote

Councillor K Falconer moved, and Councillor Yates seconded, that the officer recommendation be upheld.

“It was moved by Councillor K Falconer and seconded by Councillor Yates that the officer recommendation be upheld.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee upheld the officer recommendation and granted permission subject to the conditions in the officer report.

“That the officer recommendation be upheld, and the application be GRANTED, subject to the conditions outlined in the officer’s report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission included conditions covering approved plans, cycle storage, biodiversity enhancement, water use, parking and matching materials.

“The development hereby approved shall only be carried out in full accordance with the approved plans (listed below) with the exception of any approved non-material amendment. All external dimensions and elevational treatments shall be as shown on the approved plan/s (listed below): • Site location plan • Proposed floor plans and Elevations • Proposed Site plan…”

“Within 2 months of the commencement of the development hereby approved, a scheme for biodiversity enhancement shall be installed on site. The enhancement measures shall thereafter be retained and maintained throughout the life of the development.”

Officer report