Lowered boundary wall at The Glebe Surgery, The Glebe, Storrington

What was proposed

The application proposed lowering part of the boundary wall beside the surgery car park from 1.2 metres to 0.6 metres without changing its materials.

“DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION 1.1 The application seeks planning permission to reduce the height of part of the boundary wall which fronts the Glebe surgery car park from 1.2m in height to 0.6m in height. No alterations to the materials are proposed. The application states that the purpose of this reduction is to enable vehicles accessing the car park to better see vehicles wishing to exit the car park, thereby improving traffic flow into and out of the site.”

“As originally submitted the proposal was to reduce the wall height to both sides of the car park access, however this has subsequently been amended to the northern side of the access only in response to neighbour concerns.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a medical centre with two parking areas near residential properties, outside the Storrington Conservation Area.

“DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE 1.3 The site sits with the Built-Up Are of Storrington, on the edge (but outside of) the Storrington Conservation Area. The site consists of The Glebe Medical Centre which houses the Glebe Surgery and two parking areas all of which was redeveloped under planning permission DC/16/2108 and were substantially completed in 2020.”

Officer report

Officer recommendation

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions.

“RECOMMENDATION: To approve planning permission subject to appropriate conditions…”

Officer report

Public speakers

Two members of the public spoke against the application, and the Ward Member also addressed the committee.

Committee debate

Members questioned whether visibility would improve, noting that parked cars would still obscure sightlines and the wall helped shield residents from headlights.

“Members noted the planning history of the application.”

“Members were concerned that visibility would not be improved by the proposed reduction in the height of the wall and sightlines would continue to be obscured by cars parked in the car park. The Committee also noted that the wall shielded residents from headlight glare, and concluded that the benefits of the application did not outweigh the harm.”

Minutes

Decision and reasons

The committee refused the application because it would harm residential amenity through headlight glare and lost screening without improving visibility for incoming vehicles.

“That DC/25/0935 be refused contrary to Officer recommendation for the following reason:”

“The reduction in the boundary wall height would result in unacceptable harm to the residential amenity of occupiers at Nos. 1 and 2 The Glebe by allowing headlight glare into habitable room windows and by removing essential visual screening secured through the original consent, and the reduction in height will not increase the visibility for incoming vehicles as parked cars in the car park will continue to obscure sightlines.”

Minutes