Timber bicycle store at Athelstan House, 201 Maldon Road, Colchester

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a timber bicycle storage structure at the front of the property.

“Description of the Proposal 4.1 Retrospective application for timber bicycle storage structure located to the front of the property.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a detached home on Maldon Road, where low brick walls and open frontages characterise the street.

“Site Description and Context 3.1 The site comprises of an existing detached residential dwelling situated to the north of Maldon Road, located within the settlement limits of Colchester. This part of Maldon Road is characterised by low level boundary treatments (primarily low-level brick walls) and open frontages.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant planning history for the case.

“Relevant Planning History 6.1 There is no planning history relevant to this case.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the structure stark, incongruous and dominant in the street scene, with visual harm outweighing its active-travel benefits.

“The responses from Colchester Cycling Campaign are noted and the installation of the bike storage structure would encourage a sustainable mode of transport in line with adopted local and national policy. This is accepted, however the benefits of the scheme in active travel terms do not outweigh the visual impact to the street scene which in this instance is unacceptable.”

“The application has been carefully considered against the local and national Policies. Active Travel is a key Council priority and one that officers are very keen to support as set out in the relevant SPD and Policy DM20. Whilst the need for the structure and the benefits it brings to the resident is recognised, in this instance the harm to the character of the area is too great to be acceptable.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Civic Society objected, the Cycling Campaign supported front-garden cycle storage, and the Highways Authority had no comments.

“Colchester Civic Society: The Colchester Civic Society has regularly raised objection to the building of structure forward of the building line.”

“Colchester Cycling Campaign: Very many homes have no access to side or back gardens, so front-garden bike stores are a sensible solution. Note that the EPOA guidance is for cycle parking to be more convenient than car parking, which is the case here.”

Officer report

Neighbour views

No responses were received from neighbouring properties.

“Representations from Notified Parties 10.1 The application did not result in any responses from neighbouring properties.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, and Councillor Rippingale addressed the committee as a ward member.

What members debated

Members questioned the visual harm, alternative locations and the balance between local character and encouraging active travel.

“If the Committee were unable to approve the application, it would create tensions with the Council’s aim to encourage active travel, and it was important that Members were able to continue to support residents who wished to use sustainable transport. James Ryan, Development Manager, acknowledged the issues raised. Officers had drafted a balanced report and, in this case in this location, they felt that the visual harm was too significant.”

Minutes