Two-bedroom dwelling at Land between 7 and 9 Cromwell Road, Henley-on-Thames

The proposed development

The application proposed a new self-build detached two-bedroom dwelling house.

“New self-build detached 2-bedroom dwelling house.”

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The site and design

The dwelling would occupy sloping land between two properties, with around 75 square metres of rear amenity space and acceptable parking.

“The application was for full planning permission for a two-bed dwelling within an area of sloping land between 7 and 9 Cromwell Road in Henley. The site was not within a designated conservation area or the National Landscape. The site was not within flood zone two or three but was in an area that had been identified as at risk of surface water flooding.”

“The site would have a reasonable amount of amenity space with approximately 75 square metres to the rear. Parking provision was considered acceptable in the location as confirmed by the Highway Authority.”

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Flooding, privacy and light

Drainage, privacy and light impacts were assessed through technical work, screening, planting and proposed planning conditions.

“The proposed development would be tiered at the rear, with some excavation needed. The drainage design had involved extensive discussions and feedback from the Council’s specialist drainage engineer. Multiple technical drainage reports had been submitted and included site specific percolation testing. The final drainage proposal was considered acceptable from a flood risk perspective.”

“The proposed property would have a privacy screen on the first-floor rear windows and additional boundary treatments were to be determined. A plan was shown detailing the distance between the proposed property and a window to the dwelling to the rear of the site. The distance on the plan was 21 metres but was at an angle looking across the garden of Number 7 Cromwell Road. The existing vegetation on the site would provide significant screening.”

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The officer recommendation

The proposal was considered acceptable in visual relationship and built form and was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

“The officer summarized that the scheme was considered acceptable in terms of its visual relationship and built form and would not materially harm the surrounding properties. As such the proposal was recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

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People who spoke

A town council representative spoke, along with two speakers against and two speakers supporting the application.

Members’ discussion

Members considered the angled 21-metre separation, screening, the challenging site, smaller homes and drainage information.

“Members queried the 21 metre distance to the window to the dwelling to the rear of the site and asked why it was less that the 25 metres set out in the design guide, The committee were advised that the 25 metre guide was meant to apply to directly facing windows, whereas this one was at an angle looking across the garden of Number 7 Cromwell Road. The committee were also reminded that there would be planting added to the rear garden to aid with screening.”

“Members acknowledged that this was a challenging application but stated that there was not a planning reason to refuse it.”

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The vote

A motion to grant planning permission was moved, seconded and carried.

“A motion, moved and seconded to grant planning permission P24/S3947/FUL, was carried on being put to the vote.”

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The decision and conditions

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions covering plans, materials, landscaping, drainage, privacy, parking, energy and biodiversity.

“RESOLVED: to grant planning permission P24/S3947/FUL, subject to the following conditions: 1. Commencement 3 years – Full Planning Permission 2. Approved plans 3. Schedule of Materials 4. Energy Statement Verification 5. Landscaping (incl boundary treatment) 6. Integrated Biodiversity Enhancements (prior to slab level) 7. Parking & Manoeuvring Areas Retained 8. Drainage Scheme Implementation 9. Air Source Heat Pump MCS Certification 10. Privacy mitigation 11.”

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