Detached garden outbuilding at 28 Albert Crescent, Coventry

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a brick outbuilding used as a home office and gym at the end of the rear garden.

“This application follows the grant of permission PL/2024/0000847/HHA for single-storey front and rear and two-storey side and rear extension and, hip to gable and dormer extension with loft conversion and erection of rear outbuilding granted on 27 July 2024. The previous application, PL/2024/0000847/HHA, included a proposed outbuilding with a similar, albeit slightly smaller outbuilding with a gable ended roof design orientated at 90 degrees compared to the current proposal.”

“The application seeks retrospective permission for the erection of a detached outbuilding located to the rear of 28 Albert Crescent. The structure is brick-built with a pitched, gable- ended roof design incorporating roof lights. It measures approximately 7.4m in width, 6m in depth and 3.8m in height at the ridge. The building is positioned at the end of the rear garden, adjoining the rear access which runs behind properties on Albert Crescent and Farm Close.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a semi-detached home with a large front garden, parking and a spacious rear garden adjoining a rear access.

“The application site is located on the south side of Albert Crescent and relates to a semi- detached dwelling with a hipped roof and rendered exterior. The dwelling has a particularly large front garden with off-street parking and a spacious rear garden.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the development had acceptable design, scale and siting, with acceptable effects on the street scene and neighbours.

“Planning Committee are recommended to grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed.”

“The development would be acceptable in terms of its design, scale and siting and would have an acceptable impact on the character and appearance of the street scene and to neighbour amenity in accordance with policies DE1 and H5 of the Coventry Local Plan 2017.”

Officer report

Main planning effects

Officers considered the outbuilding proportionate, discreetly positioned and sufficiently separated from nearby homes, with no unacceptable effects on amenity, parking or flooding.

“While the outbuilding is larger than many others in the locality and sits towards the upper scale for a domestic outbuilding, it remains proportionate to the size of the host dwelling and its plot. Although the structure exceeds permitted development tolerances, its size, height and overall massing are not considered to be unreasonable or excessive.”

“Appendix 5 of the Coventry Local Plan requires a minimum of 2 parking spaces for a 2 or more-bedroom house located in an 'outer city' location. The dwellinghouse benefits from generous off-road car parking provision on the front driveway as well as on road parking in the vicinity. The proposed outbuilding is located to the rear of the site and would not reduce off-street parking provision and therefore would not increase the demand for on street parking.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Nine representors objected to the outbuilding’s size, appearance, effects on neighbours, possible future use, noise, parking and departure from the earlier approval.

“Too large, larger than other outbuildings in the area. • Resembles a bungalow. • Loss of outlook. • Overshadowing and loss of light to neighbours • Not in keeping with surrounding area • Over development of the site within residential area. • Impact to neighbour privacy. • Future use of outbuilding as residential / annex or HMO accommodation, separate dwelling. • Noise pollution • Parking issues • Deviates from previous approval…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three registered speakers, including a Holbrooks ward councillor, submitted objections, while the invited application representative did not attend.

Committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions, and no outstanding issues remained.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be granted in respect of Application PL/2025/0000313/HHA subject to conditions.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission required compliance with approved plans, suitable external materials and use only incidental to the dwelling, not as living accommodation or a business.

“Other than where specified on the approved plans, no facing and roofing materials shall be used other than materials similar in appearance to those used predominantly in the construction of the exterior of the existing building.”

“The building hereby permitted to be erected shall be used only for a purpose incidental to the residential use of the application property at 28 Albert Crescent, and the building shall not be used as primary living accommodation or for the purpose of any trade or business.”

Officer report