The Chairman and Councillors Harper and Paine stated that they had been lobbied.

Councillor Harper said that although he had asked that this application be dealt with by the Planning Committee (rather than by the Head of Planning and Development under delegated powers), he had not pre-determined the application, and intended to speak and vote when it was considered.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development.

Miss Preedy, an objector, Ms Wissenden of the Orchard Place/Reginald Road Residents’ Association (against) and Mr Atkinson, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Development, the Committee agreed to refuse permission.  In making this decision, Members considered that the proposed development, by way of its cramped layout and lack of space between buildings, constituted poor design and would represent an overdevelopment of the site detrimental to the character of the area.  The layout presented insufficient space for adequate landscaping and the amenities of the occupants of the proposed dwellings would be adversely affected by the cramped layout and restricted garden space.  The application was therefore considered contrary to the advice in Section 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 on good design.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development, by way of its cramped layout and lack of space between buildings, constitutes poor design and would represent an overdevelopment of the site detrimental to the character of the area.  The layout presents insufficient space for adequate landscaping and the amenities of the occupants of the proposed dwellings would be adversely affected by the cramped layout and restricted garden space.  The application is therefore considered contrary to the advice in Section 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 on good design.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions