Rear first-floor extension at 57 Knock Eden Park, Belfast

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing first-floor rear return and building a first-floor rear extension with additional site works.

“Proposal: Demolition of first floor rear return, first floor rear extension and additional site works.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a two-storey detached red-brick dwelling on a corner site, with parking, a 2018 single-storey extension, mature trees and rear hedging.

“Description of Site The site is located on the corner of Knock Eden Park and Knoch Eden Grove. The site is located within the Knock Eden Park Draft Area of Townscape Character (ATC) in the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (v2014).”

“The property on site is a 2-storey detached dwelling finished in red brick. The property is accessed from Knock Eden Grove with in-curtilage parking. A single storey extension which was approved in 2018 has been built on site. Mature trees and hedging are present to the rear of the site on the eastern boundary. There is sufficient boundary space remaining to the rear of the property.”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

A single-storey rear extension and widened vehicle gates were approved on the site in November 2018.

“Planning History of the application site LA04/2018/2068/F – Single storey rear extension with vehicular gates widened. Approval granted 1 st November 2018.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the proposal acceptable having regard to the development plan, planning history and other material considerations, and recommended permission.

“Recommendation Having regard to the development plan, planning history on the site, and other material considerations, the proposal is considered acceptable.”

“It is recommended that planning permission is granted, and it is requested that delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of conditions.”

Officer report

Main planning impacts

The assessment considered neighbouring properties and the townscape character area, finding acceptable effects on light, privacy, scale, design and character.

“Design The proposed first floor extension is to be located on top of the existing single storey rear extension. The addition of this extension would not take up additional garden space and would replace an existing first floor rear return. The proposed extension would extend 6m beyond the rear return which currently exists on site and would measure 7.4m from the existing rear elevation of the property once this rear return is demolished.”

“Impact on Area of Townscape Character The proposal, by reason of its height, scale, form, materials and detailing, would maintain the overall character, and respect the built form, of the Area of Townscape Character. There would be no detrimental impact on the setting of the area and no significant loss of key views within, into and out of the ATC.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

There were no objections from statutory or non-statutory consultees, and no representations were received from third parties.

“There are no objections from statutory or non-statutory consultees.”

“There have been no representations from third parties.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Principal Planning Officer summarised the proposal, its policy compliance, local comparable extensions and the absence of third-party objections.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and delegated authority to finalise wording and handle non-substantive issues.

“The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and to deal with any other issues that might arise, provided the issues were not substantive.”

Minutes