One-bedroom dwelling at 20 Windsor Road, Chobham, Woking

“The application site lies on the eastern side of Windsor Road. The application building is set back from the highway to the rear of the site. It is a brick built, single storey structure. It has a pitched roof with a gable to the front and rear with an open sided lean-too to the side and an area of hard standing to the front. The building has an irregular footprint. The application building is the former sorting office for the Royal Mail.”

“To the south of the café is a doctors’ surgery, there is a dental surgery (with residential flats above) to the north and to the east is the car park for the Community Centre. Further along the road to the north and opposite are residential properties.”

“24/0476/E2R Application for Prior Approval Under Schedule 2, Part 3 Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended) change of use from commercial, business and service (Class E) to Dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a one bedroom dwelling.”

“Refused 09.07.2024 principally because the proposal was not permitted development under the Order.”

“The dwelling provides an open planned kitchen and living room, a storage cupboard, W.C., separate shower room and a bedroom all at ground floor. The dwelling has an internal floor area of 45 square metres and an outdoor amenity area of approximately 67.8 square metres.”

“This current application differs from permission 18/0450 in the following ways: - The porch has been removed from the converted building, - The internal layout has been altered (W.C. and storage cupboard are now included), - The existing detached garage to the north of the two storey building was formerly proposed to be demolished to allow vehicle access to the hardstanding at the front of the former sorting office.”

“Chobham Parish Council Raised an objection as the new dwelling does not provide sufficient living space nor external outlook for occupants (RDG principles 7.6 and 8.2).”

“Internal Consultation Comments Received Environmental Services No objections raised subject to it being demonstrated that the internal noise level complies with BS8233:2014. These details can be secured via condition.”

“A total of 16 individual letters of notification were sent out on 1 st August 2024. Following the receipt of amended plans, further notifications letters were sent out on the 5 th November 2024 and the 31 st January 2025. To date no letters of representation have been received.”

“A Member questioned the classification of the class use and its description in the officer’s report, the amount of floor space the application acquired and the statutory minimum amount of floor space that was expected. Parking provisions and the overall residential amenity space for the site was also discussed. A”

“The Head of Built Environment and Regulation confirmed that he would clarify how the amenity space was measured after the meeting. He also agreed to speak to Environmental Health about the concerns raised by some Members of possible overcrowding in the dwelling.”

“The officer recommendation to approve the application, subject to conditions was proposed by Councillor Jonathan Quin, seconded by Councillor Kevin Thompson, put to the vote and carried.”

“Voting in favour of the officer recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions: Councillors Mary Glauert, Liz Noble, David O’Mahoney, Jonathan Quin, Kevin Thompson, David Whitcroft, Helen Whitcroft and Richard Wilson.”