Nine dwellings at 68 Albany Road, Fleet

What was proposed

The outline proposal was for nine dwellings, a new access road and landscaping after demolishing the existing dwelling and outbuildings.

“Description of Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 9 dwellings, new access road and associated landscaping works with principle, access and layout to be considered following demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a large corner plot with one dwelling fronting Albany Road, heavily treed land and trees covered by a 2016 preservation order.

“The application site comprises a large, mostly rectangular plot on the corner of Albany Road and Albany Close, south of the former and west of the latter. A single dwelling fronts Albany Road, and the remainder of the site is heavily treed. A number of these trees are covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) made in 2016.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications proposed 10 dwellings and 11 dwellings; one was finally disposed of and the other was withdrawn.

“19/00480/OUT – 10 dwellings – finally disposed of 12th June 2020. 18/00480/OUT – 11 dwellings – withdrawn 4th March 2019.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement securing SANG, SAMM and off-site biodiversity net gain.

“Recommendation A: Grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out at the end of this report and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the following matters:”

Officer report

Consultees and residents

The town council objected on character and parking grounds, while specialist consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions or contributions.

“Fleet Town Council: Objection on character and parking grounds.”

“Biodiversity Officer: No objection subject to recommended conditions. Drainage Officer: No objection subject to recommended condition. Highway Authority: No objection subject to recommended conditions. Landscape Officer: No objection. Tree Officer should be consulted. Natural England: Appropriate assessment required. NatureSpace: Unlikely that great crested newts are present at the site. Tree Officer: No objection subject to recommended conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A town councillor spoke for Fleet Town Council, a speaker addressed the committee against the application, and the applicant’s planning representative spoke.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the historic building’s loss, possible policy conflict, retaining the house, tree proximity and parking arrangements.

“the loss of the historic building being a significant harm • a possible departure from the Local Plan • whether the Victorian house could be retained as part of a new planning application • the proximity of some of the trees to the proposed location of dwellings • parking arrangements…”

Minutes

The first vote

The recommendation to grant permission was lost, with no votes in favour and one abstention.

“The recommendations were proposed by Cllr Oliver (Chair) and seconded by Cllr Southern that the recommendations as set out in the report attached to the agenda. In a show of hands, no Members voted in favour and one Member abstained and the recommendation was lost.”

Minutes

The application was deferred

The committee deferred the application so the applicant could examine other site options, including retaining the Victorian house.

“During further discussion it was proposed by Cllr Oliver (Chair) and seconded by Cllr Quarterman that consideration of the application be deferred due to the loss of the Victorian house, which would be in conflict with Policies NBE9, GEN1, GEN10 and GEN10A.to enable the applicant to examine other options for the site, to include the retention of the Victorian house. A recorded vote was taken:”

“The Committee agreed that the application be deferred to enable the applicant to examine other options for the site, to include the retention of the Victorian house.”

Minutes