Site address:                   31 Charlbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6UU

Proposal:                        Erection of outbuilding for use as ancillary accommodation (amended plans)

Reason at Committee:     Called in by the Head of Planning Services following concerns about the determination of the application, made by the applicant.

Recommendation:

The West Area Planning Committee is recommended to:

1.       approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant planning permission

2.       agree to delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary.

The Committee considered an application (19/02089/FUL) for planning permission for the erection of outbuilding for use as ancillary accommodation (amended plans).

The application was called in by the Head of Planning Services following concerns made by the applicant about the determination of the application.   

The Planning Officer presented the report.

Andrew Daly, neighbour, spoke against the application. 

Tom Watson (Riach Architects), representing the applicant, spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee discussion included, but was not limited to, the treatment of the glazing in the gable end on the eastern elevation.    The Committee questioned why the glazing had not been located in the western elevation given it faced into the applicants’ property and not directly towards the neighbour so as to remove the concerns over neighbour impact. The Committee felt that this would have an unreasonable impact on the amenity of the neighbouring property (31A Charlbury Road) in terms of nuisance caused by light spill and loss of privacy to the bedroom window. Similarly the Committee was not persuaded by the arguments set out in the officer’s report and considered that the proposed development would have a harmful impact on the potential and perceived privacy of the neighbouring property.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it, including the planning officer’s recommendation for approval and was mindful of the permitted development rights pertaining to the application site.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed the resolution as set out below.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to refuse planning application (19/02089/FUL) on the following grounds with the precise wording of the reasons for refusal being delegated to the Head of Planning Services to determine:

1.         The glazing in the gable end facing 31a Charlbury Road would impact and create light pollution to the adjoining property contrary to policies CP10 and CP20 of the Oxford Local Plan

2.         The glazing in the gable end as a result of proximity to the boundary, and the adjoining property at 31a Charlbury Road would result in a loss of privacy contrary to Policy CP10 of the Oxford Local Plan and HP14 of the Sites and Housing Plan.