Five flats at 44 Murray Road, Northwood

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing dwelling and building five self-contained flats with landscaping, parking, cycle and bin storage.

“Proposal: Demolition of existing dwellinghouse, and erection of two storey building containing 5no. self -contained flats with associated landscaping, parking, cycle and bin storage Summary of Recommendation:”

“GRANT planning permission subject to conditions…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contained a single-storey bungalow and rear outbuilding in a mainly residential area with varied housing, trees and soft landscaping.

“The application site is located on the western side of Murray Road and comprises a single -storey detached bungalow with a pitched roof, finished in brick and roof tiles. An outbuilding is also located within the rear garden of the property. The site is accessed from Murray Road via an existing vehicular access, which also serves No. Murray Road to the rear.”

“The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character and comprises a varied mix of single -storey bungalows, two-storey dwellings and three-storey flatted developments. Buildings within the locality are generally finished in brick, render, pebble dash, or a combination of these materials. Properties are typically set back from the highway, allowing space for front gardens, landscaping and/or off -street parking.”

Officer report

Earlier application

An earlier proposal for up to five flats was withdrawn, and the current scheme was amended in response to concerns about design, neighbours and site arrangements.

“The relevant planning history for the site comprises application ref. 1787/APP/2023/202, which sought planning permission for the demolition of the existing buildings and their replacement with an up to 2.5 -storey building comprising 5no. self -contained flats, with associated parking, cycle and bin storage and landscaping. This application was withdrawn on 16 th May 2023.”

“The current application seeks to respond to concerns raised during the consideration of the previous scheme, including the relationship of the development with neighbouring properties, the overall design and appearance of the building, the treatment of the site frontage, and the arrangement of parking, cycle storage, refuse storage and landscaping. The current proposal has been amended during the course of the application to further address these matters.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the revised scheme was considered acceptable in design, character, neighbouring amenity, highways, parking, trees, landscaping, drainage, ecology and accommodation quality.

“The revised scheme is considered acceptable in respect of design, character and appearance, neighbouring amenity, highways, parking, trees, landscaping, drainage, ecology, biodiversity net gain and the quality of accommodation for future occupiers, subject to the recommended conditions.”

“The revised design is considered acceptable in terms of scale, siting, form and appearance. The building would sit between two -storey residential development and the three -storey flatted development at Lingfield Close,and would be appropriate in scale. The revised frontage treatment, retention of existing planting and architectural approach would ensure the development sits acceptably within…”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

A petition and objections from households raised concerns about flats, overdevelopment, garden loss, traffic, parking, privacy, construction and environmental matters.

“Highway, parking and traffic impacts are assessed at paragraphs 7.39 –7.49. The Highway Authority has raised no objection to the proposal.”

“Construction impacts are temporary in nature. A Construction Management Plan is recommended by condition to control matters such as working hours, vehicle routing, dust suppression and site management during construction.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A petitioner, the agent and the ward councillor addressed the committee, with the ward councillor requesting a site visit.

Members’ questions and debate

Members discussed parking, permit restrictions, trees, daylight, sunlight, structural matters and the proposal’s effects on neighbours and the surrounding area.

“In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that structural matters would be addressed through the Building Regulations process. Members were advised that each dwelling would have one parking space and that future occupiers would be excluded from the local parking permit scheme through a legal agreement. Existing trees and hedging would be retained and protected by conditions.”

“A motion to defer the application for a site visit was moved and seconded. The Legal Adviser reminded Members that a site visit should only be requested where they considered that there was insufficient information available to reach an informed decision. Members considered that a site visit would assist in assessing the impact of the development to neighbouring properties, parking conditions, daylight and sunlight impacts, and the character of the surrounding area.”

Minutes

What was decided

The application was deferred for a site visit.

“RESOLVED: That the application be deferred for a site visit.”

Minutes