Agenda item

The Planning Team Leader:

a.    advised that planning permission was sought for two dwellings within a previously developed site at Byron Place, 19 The Colosseum, Lincoln

b.    referred to additional paperwork circulated to members further to the previously issued Planning Committee agenda, containing site location plans, visuals of the proposed dwellings and photographs in relation to this planning application

c.    described the location of the previously built site known as the Colosseum consisting of a crescent of 14 terraced houses with basements and then two full floors of accommodation and a further third floor of accommodation within the roofspace, originally built in 2015 under application (2012/1433/F)

d.    reported that the specific site subject to the current application was granted planning permission for a 'sunken garden' under application 2014/0550/F, the area currently used as garden land by the occupants of No. 19 The Colosseum

e.    confirmed that the two additional dwellings proposed would be attached to the side of No. 19, continuing the crescent shape of the previous development in form and design

f.     described the development accessed from Newport by way of a private road within the ownership of the applicant, following the original scheme of 14 dwellings, a further 4 dwellings and an apartment were constructed directly off the access road and a further 3 dwellings fronting Newport following the demolition of a pair of semi-detached houses under application (2016/0191/CXN)

g.    provided details of the policies pertaining to the application, as follows:

·         Policy LP1: A Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development

·         Policy LP2: The Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy

·         Policy LP11: Affordable Housing

·         Policy LP13: Accessibility and Transport

·         Policy LP26: Design and Amenity

·         National Planning Policy Framework      

h.    advised members of the main issues to be considered as part of the application to assess the proposal with regard to:

·         Planning Policy

·         Visual Amenity

·         Residential Amenity

·         Highways, Access and Parking

·         Other Matters

i.      outlined the responses made to the consultation exercise

j.      concluded that :

·         The principle of the use of the site for residential purposes was considered to be acceptable in this location.

·         The development would relate well to the site and surroundings, particularly in relation to siting, height, scale, massing and design.

·         The proposals would also not cause undue harm to the amenities which occupiers of neighbouring properties may reasonably expect to enjoy.

·         The application would therefore be in accordance with the requirements of Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Policies, as well as guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Members highlighted that the current development for two dwellings was clearly linked to the previous scheme for 14 dwellings on site, which had been below the threshold for an element of affordable housing at the time, however over the threshold with the two additional proposed dwellings now applied for. Members referred to the original scheme having been completed for more than 5 years and therefore an affordable housing contribution could not be sought under Policy LP11 of the Central Lincolnshire Plan. They commented on the reality that the two extra dwellings overcame the affordable housing clause

Members further commented as follows:

·         There were no planning reasons to refuse the development although there was some element that suggested the sunken garden was to be used as a play area.

·         It was important to take note that 10 objections had been received to the proposed scheme out of the 14 residents in total.

·         Additional housing stock was badly needed, although pressure should be imposed on Central Government to rethink the nature of planning law in these circumstances.

·         It was suggested that planning rules were being manipulated by the developer.

·         Objections had been received from local residents in terms of parking issues however, there had been no objection from the Highways Authority in this respect as statutory consultee.

The Planning Team Leader offered the following points of clarification to members:

·         Officers had rigorously checked the completion date for the original development and it was not within the last 5 years.

·         The developer had retained ownership of No 19 the Colosseum and rented out the property.

·         Open space was provided in the centre of the crescent for local residents use.

·         He accepted the views of members of Planning Committee.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

·         To begin within 3 years

·         In accordance with drawings

·         Contaminated land conditions

·         Materials to be those specified on the application, to match existing development

·         Boundary treatments to be those specified on the application, to match existing development

·         Construction and delivery hours restrictions