Flat alterations at Flat 53-55 Liddymore Road, Watchet

The site and surroundings

The flat is above a retail store and hairdressing salon, with a rear access road leading towards houses in a mainly residential area.

“The site is located above a retail store (Radstock Coop) and a hairdressing salon on Liddymore Road. To the rear is a no-through road access which leads to the rear of the shops and back on to houses on Wouldham Road. The area is predominantly residential in nature.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Permission was granted in 2024 to convert two flats into three self-contained flats, while a later non-material amendment application was withdrawn.

“Reference Description Decision Date NMA/37/25/002 Application for a Non-Material Amendment to application 3/37/23/034 to reduce balcony and relocate, alterations to parking facilities, pitched roof omitted and flat roof incorporated and removal of integrated balcony Velux. Withdrawn 20/08/25 3/37/23/034 Conversion of 2no flats into 3no Granted 12/01/2024”

Officer report

The officer recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the principle was established and the changes were considered policy-compliant without significant harm to the area or neighbours.

“Executive Summary of key reasons for recommendation…”

“The principle of the development has already been established and the proposed variations to the scheme, as implemented, are considered to comply with policy and will not harm the character or visual amenities of the area, or increase the impact of…”

Officer report

Consultees and residents

Watchet Town Council strongly objected, while highways had no observations and the ecologist said development could continue; six neighbours submitted 42 letters.

“Consultee Comment Officer Comment Watchet Town Council Strongly objects - recommends development not approved for the same reasons they objected to the original application.”

“- Consider that responses from Watchet Town Council have been incorrectly logged on the council’s website.”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

Three objectors, including the Watchet Town Council chair, addressed the committee, followed by the applicant’s representative.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed overlooking, privacy screening, flat-roof use and the staircase’s orientation, and supported stronger screening and restrictions on amenity use.

“Councillors asked for clarification on the location and height of the privacy screen on the original plans and why they are not on the walkway. The Lead Planning Officer confirmed that they are not on the walkway as it is to gain access rather than for amenity use and it was not felt necessary to place them there. • Councillors understood that properties were overlooked by the staircase and how exposed the residents are.”

“The committee were then invited to make further comments on the application, and the following points were raised: • Councillors raised that they would like to check the formal building regulation reason why the Staircase orientation has been changed, as they believed that whoever was designing it would know building regulations when designing the staircase.”

Minutes