Five-bedroom semi-detached homes at 83 Udney Park Road, Teddington

What was proposed

The application sought five rooflights and two additional bedrooms within the roof space of each approved semi-detached dwelling.

“PA25/1663 ADDRESS 83 Udney Park Road Teddington TW11 9BB PROPOSAL Variation of condition U0194300 (Approved Drawings) of planning permission ref: 23/2359/FUL dated 06.12.2024 for demolition of the existing bungalow and replacement with a pair of 2 storey, 3- bedroom semi-detached dwellinghouses with associated parking and landscaping - To provide additional bedrooms on the second floor and rooflights to the roofscape.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The bungalow site had been demolished, construction had started, and its western and northern boundaries adjoined Udney Park Playing Fields and its car park.

“The site is on the eastern side of Udney Park Road and was occupied by a single storey detached brick bungalow which has now been demolished. Construction has commenced on the semi-detached properties approved. The rear and side boundaries of the site (west and north) adjoin Udney Park Playing Fields and its car park respectively. To the south is a detached 2-storey house with side garage, No 85 Udney Park Road.”

“The adjoining Udney Park Playing Fields are designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Udney Park is an important site for a diversity of bats, and important bat roosts within the surroundings including one located within the north-east corner of No.85 Udney Park Road against the rear boundary.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and enforcement

An earlier application was refused, permission for two homes was later granted, and an open enforcement investigation concerned possible departures from approved drawings.

“Official 63/0126 Addition to garage Granted permission. 26.03.1963 22/3667/FUL Demolition of existing building and erection of two semi-detached houses Refused permission 13.06.2023 23/2359/FUL Demolition of the existing bungalow and replacement with a pair of 2 storey, 3- bedroom semi-detached dwellinghouses with associated parking and landscaping Granted Permission 06.12.2024 PA25/1664 Non-material amendment to planning permission ref: 23/2359/FUL to revise description of…”

“Construction works have commenced on site. It is noted that the LPA have an open enforcement investigation at the site for non-compliance with approved drawings condition of permission 23/2359/FUL. The key issue indicated by the complainant is siting of constructed units in proximity to the southern boundary of the site, as well as the overall constructed depth at both ground floor and first floor.”

Officer report

The officers’ assessment

Officers considered the design, residential standards, neighbour amenity, transport and ecology acceptable, with revised rooflight positions addressing bat concerns.

“As illustrated above, the height, scale, bulk and design of the buildings are unchanged from the previous approval. The addition of rooflights is considered acceptable in regard to design, street scape and views from Udney Park Playing Fields (OOLTI). A condition is recommended to ensure these are conservation type flush to the roof slope to mitigate any visual disruption.”

“The Council’s Ecology Officer has confirmed that the revised positions for the roof lights are now acceptable in terms of additional light transmission impacts on the maternity bat roost and corridor to the rear. The scheme is therefore considered consistent with policy 39 subject to the same mitigating conditions being imposed as per the original permission 23/2359/FUL.”

Officer report

Objections and consultee views

A neighbour raised concerns about biodiversity, privacy, parking, housing mix, viability and construction, while transport and ecology officers ultimately raised no objection.

“Issue i. The submitted Financial Viability Assessment has been reviewed by both the LPA’s financial viability officer, as well as the LPA’s third party consultant, Bespoke. Privacy and overlooking • direct overlooking of approved scheme • no.85 glass extension significantly impacted • addition of rooflights Issue iv.”

“LBRUT Transport Officer: No objections, subject to pre-commencement CMP condition. • LBRUT Policy Officer: Affordable Housing Contribution to be secured by section 106 agreement. The financial contribution that would be sought would be discounted to represent 10% affordable housing, given the proposal creates two new units (gross).”

Officer report

Who spoke

A neighbour spoke against the application, the architect spoke in support, and Councillor Jim Millard did not express a definitive view.

What members discussed

Members considered the rooflights’ relationship to the neighbouring property and concluded they would not be unreasonable or harm local bat habitats.

“Members considered the impact of the roof lights in regards to the neighbouring property. The Area Team Manager South explained that the planning authority routinely required roof light windows to be positioned at last 1.7 metres above floor level and the application complies in this regard.”

“Members recognised that the proposed roof lights were of such a distance from and orientation alongside any neighbours property that in an urban setting their installation would not be considered unreasonable.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to the recommended conditions and informatives, adding a minimum 1.7-metre height condition for southern rooflights.

“RESOLVED that the Planning Committee APPROVED application PA25/1663 SUBJECT TO the conditions and informatives set out in sections 10 and 11 of the officer report and the additional condition below:”

“Rooflights height The rooflights within the southern roof slope hereby approved shall not be constructed below a minimum height of 1.7 metres (5'7'') above the relevant internal floor level. REASON: To ensure that the proposed development does not prejudice the amenities of adjoining occupiers. CHAIR”

Minutes