Rear garden play area at 21 Rochester Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock

“The application site is comprised of a detached two storey-dwelling located within a suburban area of Heath Hayes, Cannock. The immediate streetscene is residential and sits on slightly sloping land comprised of various two-storey dwellings. The site is nearby to forestry and agricultural land to its east and south. The dwelling is of brick construction under a cross-gable roof and finished in brick and tudor board cladding.”

“Recommendation: Refuse Reason(s) for Recommendation: The structure, by virtue of its height and elevated position, appears visually dominant and out of keeping within the surrounding residential context. Whilst play areas are typical of private gardens within residential locations, in this instance, the scale and form fail to assimilate with the character of garden development, resulting in harm to the visual amenity and character of the area.”

“The structure, due to its height, elevated position, and proximity to neighbouring boundaries, has a significant overbearing impact for neighbouring occupiers, particularly at No. 19 and No. Rochester Way. The development therefore causes significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity, contrary to Paragraph 135f of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024, Policy CP3 of the Cannock Chase Local Plan and the design principles set out within the Council’s Design SPD.”

“Impact on Residential Amenity 4.4.1 The nearest neighbours to the site are No. 19 and No. Rochester Way situated either side of the dwelling, and No. Truro Place with which it shares its rear boundary. With regards to the overbearing impact, the play structure reaches an overall height of approximately 4.1m from the base of the rock-climbing wall to the top of the canopy roof.”

“Your Officers note that although the existing garden was already tiered and allowed for a degree of overlooking when standing at the bottom of the garden, it is considered that the proposed use of the play area would further increase the potential instances of overlooking and is thus considered unacceptable.”

“CH/25/0302, 21 Rochester Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS12 3YH: Retrospective Planning Application for rear garden play area Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest Councillor S. Thompson left the room during the determination of the application and took no part in thedecision-making process. Following a site visit considerationwas given to the report of the Development and Policy Manager (Item 6.1- 6.7)(presented by the Planning Officer).”

“The issues raised do not introduce any new material planning considerations and do not alter the assessment or the Officer recommendation”. Resolved: That the application be refused for the reasons outlined in the report. (Councillor S. Thompson returned to the meetingat this point). Application…”