Retrospective wooden garden cabin at 65 Randall Crescent, Cromer

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a wooden cabin in the northwest corner of a rear garden, with a 3-metre roof height.

“CROMER - PF/25/2851 - Erection of wooden cabin in rear garden (retrospective) at 65 Randall Crescent Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 0FD”

“This is a retrospective application for a garden cabin located in the northwest corner of the property. The garden cabin has a hexagonal footprint with a pitched roof. The height to the pinnacle of the roof will be 3m (without the chimney as it is proposed to remove it) and the height from the ground level to the eaves is 1.3m…”

Officer report

The site

The garden is enclosed by 1.77-metre fencing and adjoins the rear gardens of three neighbouring properties.

“The garden is enclosed by close boarded fencing which is 1.77m high and abuts the rear gardens of numbers 67, 69, and 63 Randall Crescent.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the cabin complied with relevant policies and would not unacceptably affect design, outlook, light, privacy or amenity.

“The purpose of Policy ENV6 is to maintain, protect and promote adequate living and working conditions to ensure that all occupants benefit from a good standard of amenity by considering a number of matters including, overlooking, overshadowing, loss of privacy and prevention of disturbance from odour, noise and artificial light pollution. The policy applies to all development proposals, where existing and/or future occupiers may have their standard of amenity affected.”

“It is considered that the proposed garden building is acceptable in all respects in regard to principle, design and amenity. Although the objections from neighbouring properties have been taken into account, is considered that the garden building would not have any unacceptable impact in terms of loss of light, nor would it be unacceptability overbearing or result in any significant loss of outlook.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Cromer Town Council raised concerns about visual and amenity effects, overbearing impact, smoke, odours, boundary proximity, height and covenants.

“Cromer Town Council – concerns relating to the following matters:”

“Visual and amenity impacts and the structure having an overbearing impact. • Potential for odours and smoke. • The proximity to the common boundaries and the height above the 6' fence, which means it is unsightly for the neighbours to look at. • breach of property covenants and that neighbours have not been consulted.”

Officer report

Public objections

Three public objections cited the cabin’s siting, size, height, visual harm, disturbance, proximity to trees and possible fire risk.

“Inappropriately sited, too big, too tall. • Visually harmful and detrimental to the peace and tranquillity of the area. • Close proximity to trees, fire risk.”

“Contrary to Norfolk Homes Covenant – it was erected whilst the covenant placed on the original build was still active. • No consultation with immediate neighbours by the applicant (this refers to the siting of the building at the time it was installed and not the planning application itself. The site notice was posted on site, 4 days after it was printed.) • Contravenes the manufacturer’s instructions in terms of siting • Question regarding foundations.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A public objector spoke, and the local member opposed the recommendation because he considered the cabin too large and incongruous.

The decision

The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.

“That Planning Application PF/25/2851 be APPROVED in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.”

Minutes