Six flats at The Street, Tongham, Farnham

What was proposed

The application proposed six homes in two blocks of flats, with amenity space, landscaping, parking, cycle storage and an extended access.

“The application is for the redevelopment to provide six new homes (2 blocks of flats) with associated amenity space, landscaping, car and cycle parking.”

“Six unallocated parking spaces, along with an extended access from The Street.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The undeveloped, fairly level site had mature trees, residential boundaries, access from The Street and several planning constraints.

“The application site is located within the urban area of Ash and Tongham and consists of an undeveloped plot with a large group of trees as well as a number of other semi-mature individual trees. Access to the site is via The Street, over the existing access that serve Manor House Flats.”

“The site is bordered by residential development on the western, southern and eastern boundaries. To the north is a small grassed area, with residential development beyond that.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the homes acceptable in scale, design and living conditions, with conditions and SPA mitigation addressing identified impacts.

“The County Highway Authority has reviewed the proposed development and not raised an objection subject to the recommended conditions. Included within the recommended conditions was the construction of a standard vehicle crossover arrangement, secure, lit and covered cycle parking with e-bike charging facilities, EV car charging facilities and for highway improvement works.”

“The proposed development would deliver six additional residential units of an acceptable scale, design and massing, and would therefore not result in unacceptable harm to the character of the area. The site and building layout would ensure that acceptable living conditions would be provided to the occupants and the amenity of neighbouring properties would not be impacted to an unacceptable level.”

Officer report

What was presented

The Senior Planning Officer presented the residential setting, layout around mature trees, elevations, space standards, access and proposed safeguards.

What members discussed

Members discussed construction traffic, the Statement of Intent, cycle parking, design, housing mix and occupancy labelling.

“In discussion, Members queried construction-phase impacts and sought assurance that a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) would be conditioned given the constrained access from The Street. Clarification was also sought that SPA tariff contributions would be captured through the Statement of Intent on a basis consistent with comparable schemes. Officers confirmed a CTMP condition would be included and that the Statement of Intent would secure the RECORDED VOTE LIST”

“Members acknowledged comments that the design was functional and that, while not a reason for refusal, it was disappointing that cycle parking and certain details were being left to conditions on a Council-led scheme. Housing mix and occupancy labelling were discussed. Officers noted ‘two- bed, four-person’ denotes double bedrooms for up to four occupants for standards/contributions purposes.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The Chair’s motion to approve was seconded and carried unanimously, with the recorded vote showing fifteen votes in favour.

“Overall, Members concluded the proposal would provide six compliant units in a sustainable location, retain important trees, and, subject to conditions and the Statement of Intent, would mitigate identified impacts. The Chair then moved the motion to approve application 25/P/00753. The motion was seconded by Councillor Smith and was carried unanimously.”

“RESOLVED: That application 25/P/00753 be approved, with delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Planning to agree the final wording of conditions and grant planning permission, subject to completion of a Statement of Intent securing the equivalent planning obligations, including SPA mitigation contributions in accordance with the adopted tariff.”

Minutes