Detached three-bedroom dwelling at 17 Ringwood Close, Furnace Green, Crawley

“Planning permission is sought for the erection of a two storey, detached dwelling within the side garden area of 17 Ringwood Close. The drawings show a staggered building line with the proposed dwelling being located approx. 4m back from the front elevation of No. Ringwood Close. The access would be provided from the public highway to the front of the site via the existing dropped kerb. The proposed dwelling would have 2 car parking spaces and No.”

“The plans show a two storey, detached dwelling with a square footprint measuring 53.9 sqm GEA and a height of 7.7m to the ridge, it would have a flat roof canopy over the front door and white vertical cladding at first floor level on the front and rear elevations. The elevational design of the dwelling would be similar to No.”

“The application site relates to the side garden area of 17 Ringwood Close and currently contains a garage to be demolished. No. 17 is a two storey, semi-detached house of a relatively simple design comprising a flat roof canopy over the door, grey fenestration, a bay window and grey weatherboarding at first floor level. Other houses within the street are also similar in style and scale.”

“The site is enclosed by a combination of 1.8 metre high and lower 1.5 metre high timber fencing and trees/hedges. To the rear of the site is Southgate Playing Fields. The area is residential in nature with two storey semi-detached houses surrounding the site. The properties are set back from the highway with staggered building lines in certain parts of the road and regular gaps between the houses.”

“In conclusion, it is considered that the proposed two storey, detached dwelling would not have an adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the area and would have an acceptable relationship with adjacent dwellings and trees. The proposal would provide an acceptable environment for the future occupiers and is acceptable in parking, access, sustainability and biodiversity terms, subject to appropriate conditions.”

“PERMIT subject to the conclusion of a Section 106 agreement to secure an off-site affordable housing contribution of £10,570, and subject to the following conditions:-”

“UK Power Networks Comments – proposal notifiable under Party Wall Act 2. CBC Energy Efficiency & Sustainability No objection subject to conditions 3. CBC Amenity Services Arboricultural Officer No comment 4. Place Services - Ecology Officer No objection subject to condition 5. WSCC Highways No objection subject to conditions 6. National Air Traffic Services (NATS) No objection 7. Thames Water No comment 8. CBC Planning Arboricultural Officer No objection 9.”

“Six objections have been received concerning the following:”

“Design/scale of dwelling out of keeping • Overlooking/loss of privacy • Unsafe/inadequate vehicle access • Vehicle noise and pollution • Increased traffic movements • Lack of parking in street.”

“The Committee then considered the application. Committee members queried the proposed access to the property via a shared driveway with the neighbouring property; concerns were raised that it was too tight a space that did not allow for easy access. Officers recognised that the driveway was narrow and of an unusual layout, but that two clear parking spaces were provided for each property and the shared access section would be kept clear.”

“Officers were also asked to provide further information about any potential overlooking between the proposed dwelling and the neighbouring properties. It was confirmed that there was no overlooking on the ground floor level due to the proposed 1.8m high fencing, and there was no direct overlooking of any of the neighbouring properties’ habitable rooms from the new dwelling.”

“The Committee then moved to a vote on the recommendation set out in the report. The recommendation was moved by Councillor Rana as the Chair and seconded by Councillor Bidwell as the Vice-Chair.”

“Permit subject to the conclusion of a Section 106 agreement to secure an off-site affordable housing contribution of £10,570, and subject to the conditions set out in report PES/513a.”