22-flat apartment block at Courage Court, Hutton Drive, Hutton

What was proposed

The application sought changes to an approved 22-flat apartment block, including its height, width, materials, parking layout and retaining wall.

“VARIATION OF CONDITION 2 (IN ACCORDANCE WITH DRAWINGS) OF APPLICATION 23/00768/FUL (DEMOLITION OF COURAGE COURT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR STOREY ZERO CARBON (IN USE) APARTMENT BLOCK CONTAINING 22 FLATS, 19 X ONE BEDROOM AND 3 X TWO BEDROOM AND ASSOCIATED WORKS.) TO ALLOW AN INCREASE IN HEIGHT AND WIDTH OF THE BUILDING AND CHANGE TO EXTERNAL MATERIALS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE PARKING LAYOUT AND RETAINING WALL TO ADDRESS FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site is beside Hanging Hill Lane and Hutton Drive, with nearby homes, and the approved building was being constructed after demolition.

“The site is located on the east of Hanging Hill Lane and north of Hutton Drive and is a strategic housing site that was granted planning permission in 2021 for redevelopment. Courage Court was approved for demolition and new build under planning permission 23/00768/FUL as the 20/01912/FUL permission for the wider site could not have the description amended by a s73 application.”

“The amendments include an increase in the height of the building, the provision of a retaining wall adjacent to Hanging Hill Lane and changes to the appearance of the building including the deletion of timber cladding and glazed cantilevered balconies replaced with brick and metal balconies respectively.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the revised scheme was essentially the same development, with acceptable appearance, amenity, landscaping and policy effects.

“The mix of Weinerberger Dakota red bricks and Weinerberger Oakington buff bricks instead of timber cladding is proposed. All window and door frames are to be Athracite Grey in colour and made from a composite material of timber and aluminium to accommodate the triple glazing. The steel external balconies were not originally approved and are considered to have an engineered appearance compared to the glazed cantilevered balconies originally approved.”

“The variation of condition 2 of planning permission 23/00768/FUL changes the materials of the building and its appearance but it is essentially the same development and falls under a s73 application.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The consultant planner presented the application, and three ward councillors expressed support.

Committee discussion

Councillor Barber proposed approval and Councillor Patel seconded the motion.

“Following discussion Cllr Barber MOVED and Cllr Patel SECONDED a motion to APPROVE the application.”

Minutes

The vote

Twelve members voted for approval, with none against and none abstaining.

“A vote was taken and Members voted as follows:”

“FOR: Cllrs Baldock, Barber, Barrett, M Cuthbert, N Cuthbert, Gelderbloem, Gorton, Mayo, McCheyne, Mynott, Naylor, Patel. (12)”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved unanimously subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“The application was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY subject to the conditions outlined in the report.”

Minutes