Three houses with basements at Land Rear of 135-145 Fishponds Road, London SW17

What was proposed

The application proposed three part-single, part-two-storey houses with basements, roof terraces, landscaping, boundary treatment, refuse storage and cycle storage.

“APPLICATION DETAILS: Planning permission is sought for the erection of 3 no. part-single, part-two storey dwellings (1x2b & 2x3b) along with associated landscaping, boundary treatment and refuse and cycle storage.”

“The proposed development provides a design which intentionally breaks the terrace up into single and two storey elements to acknowledge the proximity of properties on Hereward Road and Moffat Road. The footprint of the proposed dwellings deliberately pulls away as far as possible from the nearest parts of the properties on Hereward Road to the development.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was an overgrown storage area for scrapped vehicles in a mainly residential setting, accessed from Fishponds Road and Henden Road.

“SITE DETAILS: The site is located to the south-east side of Fishponds Road and north-west of properties fronting Hereward Road and Moffat Road. It is accessed primarily via a gated vehicular access from Fishponds Road that serves a row of large single storey garages/lock ups and garden ‘annexes’ that are located between the site and the rear gardens of properties on Fishponds Road. A second access gate exists onto Henden Road.”

“The site has a good public transport accessibility level (PTAL) rating of 4 some 590m from Tooting Broadway Tube Station and is not located in any designated conservation area. There are no listed buildings or locally listed buildings in the vicinity of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier housing schemes were refused in 2017 and 2018, while other applications for a house and garages were approved in 2002 and 1999.

“RELATED PLANNING APPLICATIONS: 2018 (2018/0786): ‘Erection of 1 x 1-bedroom and 1 x 3-bedroom two-storey houses with associated parking, cycle and refuse stores, and surfacing.’ (Refused)”

“2002: (2002/0629): ‘Erection of a 2-storey House’ (Approved) 1999 (S/98/0689): ‘Construction of two double garages and a bicycle shed’ (Approved) 1988: (88/S/0302): ‘Erection of two x 2 storey 3-bedroom houses with integral garages (Outline).’ (Refused – ‘The proposal would result in an undesirable form of backland development likely to result in loss of privacy and light to, and outlook from, adjoining residential properties)”

Officer report

Design and neighbour impact

Officers considered the broken roof form, setbacks, sloping roofs, screening and replacement fencing would limit harm to outlook, daylight, sunlight and privacy.

“The DS Report also featured a standard sunlight assessment as set out in the BRE guidance relating to the availability of sunlight in neighbouring amenity areas which, whilst desirable, must be seen as less significant than daylight and sunlight to existing buildings. Notwithstanding, a total of 5 out of 7 neighbouring amenity areas tested met requirements for sunlight penetration. Whilst Nos.”

“Hereward Road and Moffat Road is considered fairly minimal more pertinent are the first floor sloping roof elements which at 2.7m in height have more potential to cause diminution to outlook from the properties mentioned.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Objections covered the principle of housing, design, access, outlook, enclosure, daylight, privacy, accommodation, parking, construction, drainage, security and biodiversity.

“Number of letters sent 37 Site Notice Yes Press Notice No Number of responses received 12 Number of neighbour objections 10 Number of neighbour support 1 Number of neighbour comments 1”

“Neighbour Consultation Summary OBJECTIONS: summarised as: • No precedent for residential use on the site • Does not accord with the relevant policies or standards within London Plan, GLA’s Housing SPD or within the Wandsworth Local Plan on Design and Housing • Would prevent access to existing lock-up/garages • Loss of outlook and sense of openness from rear of properties on Fishpond Road and Moffat Road and Hereward Road • Increased sense of enclosure within private amenity…”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

Councillor Critchard addressed the committee for local residents, while council officers answered questions about refuse, screening, parking, construction and garage access.

The vote

The committee voted by six votes to two to grant planning permission.

“RESOLVED – (6 for and 2 against) that planning permission be granted as set out in the report, noting the additional information as set out in the late items of correspondence paper.”

Minutes