Rear pergola retention at 19 Calico Avenue, Hackbridge

The site and surroundings

The site is a three-storey end-of-terrace home among mainly two- and three-storey terraced family dwellings, outside a conservation area.

“The surrounding area consists largely of two/three storey terraced family dwellings.”

“The application site is not located within a Conservation Area nor are there any listed buildings in close proximity to the site.”

Officer report

Planning history

The wider site had an outline redevelopment permission, while an enforcement investigation concerned the pergola and an earlier lawful-development application was withdrawn.

“EC2022/0165 - As a response to complaints received from a neighbouring resident, enforcement investigation was opened in relation to erection of a pergola at the rear of the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the pergola was acceptable in principle and would not harm the property, neighbours, trees, biodiversity, parking or safety.

“The retention of pergola to an existing single family dwelling is acceptable in principle in land use terms as there is no change of use proposed.”

“The design of the proposal is acceptable and would not cause harm to the character of the existing property or wider area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector addressed the committee about light, security, planning rights and limited benefits, while the applicant’s representative described the pergola as lightweight, safe and well designed.

Members’ discussion

Members considered whether the neighbour’s impact was significant enough to refuse permission and focused on the degree and duration of planning harm.

“In debate, the committee acknowledged the impact on the neighbour, but questioned if it was significant enough to justify refusal. Members observed that the objector's photograph…”

“A question was raised regarding the impact of the owner selling the property, but it was noted that the owner's residency status was not a material planning consideration, and the focus was solely on the "degree of harm" from a planning perspective.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee held a poll vote on the officers’ recommendation, with all listed councillors voting for it.

“A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation to grant permission was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4.”

“APPLICATION NO. DM2024/00995, 19 Calico Avenue, Hackbridge, Sutton SM6 7FZ (Committee Report) A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4, when there voted. Councillor Jayne McCoy For Councillor Sam Cumber For Councillor Trish Fivey For Councillor Sam Martin For Councillor Eric Allen For Councillor Tony Shields For Councillor Tim Foster For Councillor Jake Short For Councillor Luke Taylor For Councillor Tim Crowley For Agreed…”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted planning permission for the pergola’s retention, subject to the conditions in Appendix B.

“RESOLVED: To GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix B.”

Minutes