Three terraced homes at 7 Churchfields Road, Bromsgrove

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing bungalow and building three two-bedroom homes in a terraced block, with parking and external works.

“Proposal This planning application is for the demolition of the existing bungalow at No.7 Churchfields Road and erection of 3 dwellings (3 x 2 bedroom), with associated external works and car parking.”

“The three dwellings would form a terraced block.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a small residential plot beside homes on Churchfields Road, with a bungalow, driveway, front garden and rear garden.

“The Site The site is located at 7 Churchfields Road and measures approximately 0.053 hectares. The surrounding properties are residential. The site is bound by No.5 and No.9 Churchfields Road to the either side of the existing dwelling, residential properties…”

“The site is currently a pitched roof bungalow. There is a hardstanding driveway in the form of bricked paving, as well as a front garden and rear garden. There is a variety in architectural styles and material in the streetscene, varying from terraced properties, to detached properties and semi-detached properties. Built form in the vicinity of the site is predominantly of a two-storey form.”

Officer report

The officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval, considering the proposal sustainable, policy-compliant and beneficial to the district’s housing supply.

“25/00803/FUL The Council cannot currently demonstrate a five year housing land supply (5YHLS), and therefore regard should be had to paragraph 11(d) and footnote 8 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which together state that for applications providing housing, where the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS, the policies which are most important for determining the application are considered out-of-date and planning permission should be granted unless:”

“It has been demonstrated above that the scheme complies with the policies of the Bromsgrove District Plan, the Council’s High Quality Design SPD and the NPPF. As such, the proposal would represent a sustainable form of development and contribute to the District’s housing supply, and should be granted permission subject to conditions listed below.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, conservation, trees, noise, contaminated land and water management consultees raised no objection, subject to specified conditions where applicable.

“Worcestershire Highways – Bromsgrove • No objection subject to conditions relating to: • Visibility splays • Vehicular access • Cycle parking • Access and parking facilities in conformity with submitted details • Residential Travel Welcome Pack • The site is in a highly sustainable location off a unclassified road, the site has an existing vehicular access. Churchfields Road is a shared surface road used by pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.”

“North Worcestershire Water Management • No objection subject to condition relating to a scheme for surface water drainage submitted to the Local Planning Authority.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative of local residents spoke against the application, followed by the ward councillor speaking against it.

Members’ concerns

Members questioned parking dimensions, visibility splays, a telegraph pole, vehicle manoeuvring and whether bungalows were needed.

“Car parking spacing - were the spaces 4.5 metres or less than 4.5 metres? Was there sufficient space for 4.5 metre car parking spaces once the dwellings have been built? The area was a very tight area. • Visibility Splays – some Members had serious concerns about this and were of the opinion that the visibility splays had not been assessed with due diligence. There was a telegraph pole in situ which vehicles would have to reverse around.”

“Some Members further reiterated that they had serious concerns about the visibility splays and the severe impact on the highway, referring again to the telegraph pole in situ and the area being tight for vehicles to manoeuvre safely.”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to defer the application was moved, seconded and put to the vote.

“A Recommendation to defer the application was proposed and seconded and on being put to the vote, it was…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee deferred the application pending further reconsideration by Worcestershire County Council Highways.

“RESOLVED that the planning application be deferred pending further reconsideration by Worcestershire County Council, Highways.”

Minutes