Agenda item

In respect of application numbered S/18/2038/PEKO - Erection of 2no. dwellings, minor alteration to 5 Barnfield Close and associated works (5 Barnfield Close, Rodbourne, Swindon) the Committee considered: -

          Name                                 Address/Organisation

          Carl Tagoe                         Agent

          Mrs Murphy                        Local Resident

          Mrs Malkin                         Local Resident     

          James Yeowell                    Parish Council

Councillors John Ballman, Alan Bishop, Steph Exell, Jenny Jefferies, Jim Robbins, Vera Tomlinson and Peter Watts spoke in respect of this application.

Submissions in support of the application can be broadly summarised as:

·       The proposed development was for two three bedroom semi-detached properties of similar design to nearby properties and was in character with the area.

·       The proposed development was on previously developed land within the Swindon settlement area.

·       There had been no objections from the Council’s Highways team in respect of car parking associated with the development.

·       There was no amenity issues in respect of light, overshadowing or distance with a detailed light assessment and study being undertaken by the applicant.

·       The application met the requirements of local and national planning policies and guidance.

·       The development would help address the Council’s five year land supply deficit.

·       The properties would be suitable for a family with young children.

·       The site was sustainable with schools, shops and transport in close vicinity.

·       The development was suitable for a local builder and would therefore support the local economy.

·       Any Right of Way issues was a civil issue, any planning permission would not remove or affect private property rights.

Submissions opposing the application can be broadly summarised as:

·       There was strong local opposition to the proposed development.

·       The land had been occupied by wildlife life for many years.

·       The area had already suffered from a lot of development.

·       Residents in Mannington Park and Barnfield Close would be overlooked and would be overshadowed and loss amenity and privacy following the development.

·       The loss access resulting the development would affect local residents even though this access had been used for over thirty years.

·       The proposal was overdevelopment of the site in an area that had suffered a lot of development recently.

·       The proposal would detrimentally affect parking in the area which was already problematic not just in Barnfield Close but also in the wider vicinity.

·       The land in question had saved local properties from flooding issues as water drained into it.

·       The development would protrude out from existing properties.

·       The plans and drawings used in the application were incorrect and therefore the application was not therefore in correct context.

·       Recent development in the area including a hotel had already caused privacy and noise issues for local residents.

·       The two properties were three bed properties but only provided two parking spaces for each property, which would be narrow with only one turning point.

·       The path to the side of the development would be reduced to 1 metre would could lead to access issues especially for people with disability issues.

·       At the request of Ward Councillors and local residents a safety audit of Barnfield Close was to be undertaken on 14^th August resulting from concerns of the impact of recent commercial developments on safety in Barnfield Close.  Any decision regarding the application should therefore be delayed pending the outcome of the safety audit.

·       The turning head in Barnfield Close is currently being used for parking.  This was narrow and used as a pedestrian crossing by families and Ward Councillors were attempting to get double yellow line in this area.

·       The report had not highlighted the issues experienced in the vicinity and the conditions were therefore not robust enough to protect residents in any construction phase with the added problem of how construction vehicles would access the site.

·       Safety issues for families needed to access Barnfield Close had not been taken into account.

Resolved – Resolved – That planning permission be granted in respect of application numbered S/18/2038 subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage.

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