Two detached family homes at Land at Rushmoor Close, Pinner

The site and surroundings

The vacant plot was formerly part of a rear garden and lies within a low-density Arts and Crafts conservation area beside detached homes.

“The application site comprises a vacant, fenced plot at the end of Rushmoor Close, Pinner, formerly part of the rear garden of Brackenwood on High Road Eastcote. Access is via a timber gate onto Rushmoor Close.”

“The site lies within the Eastcote Village Conservation Area, designated for its historic Arts and Crafts architecture and landscaped setting. Several listed buildings are located nearby, including St Catherine’s Farmhouse, Ramin Cottage, The Old Shooting Box and Eastcote Grange.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

The land was historically associated with Brackenwood House, and an earlier application was recorded before the site became a separate planning unit.

“A list of the relevant planning history related to the property can be found in Appendix 2.”

“The planning history indicates that the application site was historically associated with Brackenwood House. An earlier application (ref. 39470/APP/2003/184) is recorded. The site appears to have subsequently been subdivided from the original residential curtilage and now forms a separate planning unit.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the design appropriate, the homes suitably spacious, and the effects on neighbours, highways, trees and the conservation area acceptable.

“The site lies within the Eastcote Village Conservation Area. The scheme incorporates a design informed by the established Arts and Crafts character of Rushmoor Close. Amendments to the scale and overall design during the course of the assessment ensure that the 2 dwellings preserve rather than detract from the existing dwellings along the street.”

“The proposal has been assessed in terms of trees, landscaping and biodiversity. Revisions have reduced encroachment into the root protection area of a prominent frontage tree, with protection measures secured by condition. Subject to a Unilateral Undertaki ng in respect of self-build, the proposal is considered acceptable in biodiversity terms.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Conservation and Design Officer, Tree and Landscape Officer, Access Officer, Waste Services and Highways Authority raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Planning Officer Response Tree and Landscape Officer:”

“The Design Officer advised that the proposed dwellings are contextually appropriate within Rushmoor Close and represent a high quality design response to the character of the Eastcote Village Conservation Area. Improvements were suggested to ensure they were in keeping which included revising the dwellings to detached, reducing the overall footprint and scale with enhanced greening along the frontage and to locate bin and cycle storage to the rear of the plots.”

Officer report

What the petitioners said

The lead petitioners said the proposal would erode openness, overdevelop a constrained site, leave ecology unresolved and increase parking and emergency-access pressures.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned parking, the homes’ size, emergency access, low public transport accessibility, conservation-area effects and housing land supply.

“Members asked about preserving the conservation area. Officers advised that amendments had been made to reduce the height and to be set in from the boundaries. The ridge line was in line with neighbouring properties. Building materials were also in line with the area. The Conservation Officer had been consulted and raised no objections. Overall, officers deemed it acceptable.”

“Members asked about the land supply. Officers advised that the five-year supply was not currently being met. There was a two-and-a-half-year supply as at the start of April. As such there would be a presumption in favour of the development unless it demonstrably outweighed the benefits. In this instance, officers had concluded that the scheme did not cause harm.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Members agreed the officers’ recommendation and approved the application.

“Officers’ recommendations were moved, seconded and when put to a vote, agreed.”

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved…”

Minutes