Dormer loft conversion at 1 Pear Tree Avenue, Wingerworth, Chesterfield

What was proposed

The application proposed raising the roof ridge for a dormer loft conversion and adding a single-storey side extension.

“Proposal Description: Raise the height of the ridge of the roof to allow for a dormer loft conversion and side extension…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a detached house on a corner plot within Wingerworth’s settlement development limit, beside two dwellings and public open space.

“Figure 2: Rear elevation of application site 2.2 No 234 Longedge Lane sits to the west and No3 Pear Tree Avenue sits to the north of the application site. Public open space lies across Longedge Lane to the south.”

“The application site is within the Settlement Development Limit for Wingerworth.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications covered detached houses and garages, and seven detached houses; both were conditionally approved.

“80/01438/FL | Detached houses and garages (Conditionally Approved)”

“82/01043/FL | 7 detached houses (Conditionally Approved)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval because the proposal would respect the area, protect neighbours’ amenity and provide adequate parking through a condition.

“The proposal would result in the extension and alteration of an existing dwelling within the settlement development limit of Wingerworth. Whilst the proposed dormer and ridge increase represent noticeable changes to the appearance of the property, they would be viewed within the context of a varied residential area and would not result in an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the site or the wider street scene.”

“The proposal can provide parking provision in accordance with DCC Highways Authority guidance through a planning condition and would not result in an unacceptable impact upon highway safety.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The ward member and parish council objected over the proposal’s scale, privacy effects, parking provision and possible highway safety problems.

“Concerns that the scale and size of the extended dwelling would be excessive in relation to the plot. • Concerns that the proposed five-bedroom dwelling would be served by insufficient on-site parking provision. • Concerns that any overspill parking associated with the development could lead to parking congestion and obstruction on nearby roads.”

“Parish Council – objected for the following reason:”

Officer report

What residents said

One local resident objected to the design, visual impact, overlooking, privacy effects and the possible precedent created by the dormer.

“Concerns that the scale, design, appearance and increased ridge height of the proposed dormer extension would be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the dwelling and surrounding area. • Concerns that the proposal would result in an unacceptable visual impact and would not accord with Paragraph 135 of the NPPF 2024 and Policy W12 of the Wingerworth Neighbourhood Plan.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from an objector before considering the application.

Members’ debate

Members discussed street-scene policy, parking, the dormer’s position and views towards a neighbour’s garden, while officers explained their assessment.

“During debate, some Members felt that the dormer would give an unacceptable view to the neighbour’s garden and would have preferred the dormer in the front. Officers stated that the view from the dormer would not be into the immediate rear amenity space to the neighbour and would not present such an angled view.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to grant permission in line with the officer recommendation, with the parking condition modified, was approved.

“At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor W Jones and Councillor T Lacey moved and seconded a Motion to grant the application, in line with officer recommendation and for condition four to be modified. The Motion was put to a vote and approved.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was conditionally approved, subject to the report’s conditions and informatives, with final wording delegated to the Planning Manager.

“That planning permission be conditionally approved subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, with the final wording of the conditions delegated to the Planning Manager (Development Manager).”

Minutes