Three-bedroom replacement bungalow at Sunnymead, Eccleston, Chorley

The site

The site contains a detached dormer bungalow, garage and sizeable rear garden within Eccleston’s settlement area, among varied detached properties.

“The application relates to a detached bungalow on Woodhart Lane, Eccleston. The existing property is a hipped roof dormer bungalow with a substantially sized single storey rear extension. The property has a detached garage to the side/rear elevation and a driveway to the side elevation of the property. A sizeable garden is located to the rear.”

“The property is located within the settlement area of Eccleston and is surrounded by detached properties of varying sizes with a spur of Woodhart Lane running along the rear boundary of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered roof alterations, external changes, a rear extension and a detached garage.

“Ref: 07/01066/FUL Decision: PERFPP Decision Date: November 2007 Description: Roof lift and alterations, rendering to external walls, windows to front and rear gable walls, installation of velux windows.”

“Ref: 01/00424/FUL Decision: PERFPP Decision Date: July 2001 Description: Rear extension and detached garage…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was considered acceptable in principle, visually appropriate, neighbour-friendly and adequately parked.

“The application site is located in the settlement area of Eccleston and therefore the proposal complies with the above referenced policies. The principle of development is therefore considered to be acceptable subject to material planning considerations detailed below.”

“The proposal would result in the removal of the existing modest bungalow on the site and the existing, modest detached garage and its replacement with a larger dormer bungalow with a single storey rear projection. The proposed dwelling would be 3.9m wider than the existing dwelling, 0.7m higher and of similar depth. The front building line would be maintained but would be extended closer to the neighbouring dwellings on either side.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

United Utilities, highways and ecology raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council objected to the design’s impact on neighbours.

“United Utilities - No objection subject to the use of a condition to secure a sustainable surface water drainage and a foul water drainage scheme prior to commencement.”

“Eccleston Parish Council – object to the proposal on the grounds that the overbearing impact and intrusive nature of the design represents an adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, a supporter and the agent spoke at the meeting.

The committee vote

Members rejected a proposed refusal amendment by eight votes to three, then approved the officer recommendation by nine votes to two.

“An amendment to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor Alan Whittaker, seconded by Councillor Arjun Singh. The vote was lost (3:8:0).”

“The officer recommendation was then proposed by Councillor Craige Southern, seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe and subsequently Resolved (9:2:0) That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions. Condition 8 relating to obscure glazing to be removed and authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Enforcement to agree the final wording of an alternative condition regarding trees or fence to prevent overlooking.”

Minutes