Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED to note an apology was received from Councillor Paul Bell.

RESOLVED to note that no Declarations of Interest were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the planning committee held on 11 August, be confirmed and signed.

The Committee considered the planning application report and noted additional    information on the applications included in the late letters’ list.

(i)           Planning application NW/21/00378/FUL – 48 Ecton Lane, Sywell

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of the existing dwelling with the erection of a detached two storey dwelling with parking provisions, landscaping and associated works at 48 Ecton Lane, Sywell for Mr and Mrs Felgate.

The report detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal.

The Senior Development Management Officer presented the report giving full and comprehensive details.

It was recommended that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from a representative speaking on behalf of an objector; and the architect. The committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

The representative on behalf of an objector was speaking on behalf of the neighbour at 46 Ecton Lane. The speaker considered the proposal did not meet with planning policy; design was not in keeping with the area; had concerns with regard to the ridge height; overlooking; over shadowing in relation to cladding and design; believed the sun diagrams to be inadequate and the application lacked key information. He remarked that the proposal would sit better on the site if it was moved forward.

The architect then addressed the committee and reported that the proposal was a sustainable home with more thermal efficiency. He added that the proposal was narrower that the existing house and considered there to be no impact or overlooking. The agent commented that there was no one style that defines the area and considered the proposal to be a good design, well considered and an improvement.

A member asked the architect if the proposal could be moved forward but this would encroach on the trees on the site.

The Chair then invited the committee to determine the application.

Members made comment that there are many different designs of houses in Ecton Lane and could not see any justification for not approving the application.

Another member asked if the height of the proposal was in keeping with policy. The case officer responded there are different storey heights of properties along that street and that this met with all our guidelines.

A member then reported that she had searched the site via Google Earth and had noticed that it looked like extensive building works were taking place to the rear of 46 Ecton Lane, the neighbouring property of this proposal and the objector.  The case officer was not aware of this building work in the back garden of the neighbour property.

In light of what was seen on Google Earth, the member asked if this application could be deferred for a site visit. The Chair clarified that this was not possible as the new procedures for site viewing for North Northamptonshire Council were still under review.

Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

RESOLVED to note the Delegated Officers’ report.

The meeting closed at 8:05 pm.