Agenda item

In respect of application numbered S/HOU/19/1799/CLWO - Conversion and extension of garage into habitable space, Rivermead, The Street, Castle Eaton, Swindon) the Committee considered: -

            Name                                        Address/Organisation

            Sally Read                              Applicant     

Councillors Alan Bishop, Stan Pajak, Vera Tomlinson and Councillor Peter Watts spoke in respect of this application.

The application can be broadly summarised as:

·        This application has been brought before the Planning Committee at the request of Castle Eaton Parish Council, (PC) due to concerns that the proposal did not enhance or preserve the character, appearance or setting of the Castle Eaton Conservation Area.

·        The Parish Council considered that previous alterations to the property have been incongruous and detrimental to the appearance of the property and the area, and this proposal would exacerbate this harm.

·        The property was located within the Castle Eaton Conservation Area on a corner plot set back from The Street and within the setting of Listed Buildings.

·        The proposed extension to the existing garage would facilitate a workshop/hobby area on ground floor, alongside the conversion of the resulting roof space into a further bedroom. The proposal would extend the front elevation of the existing garage forward by 2.2 metres, and would increase the height of the garage by 1.6 metres. The resulting garage would be set down 1.6 metres from the ridgeline of the main

dwelling, and would be set back 1 metre from the front elevation of the main dwelling.

·        The building was modern and had received previous planning permission for development of the site prior to the establishment of the conservation area.

·        The extension would not be largely visible from the road.

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

·        A two storey extension in 2002 was supported by the Parish Council and local residents.

·        The application was in accordance with National Planning Policy Framework guidance.

·        The family had lived at Rivermead for 24 years and enjoyed living within the village of Castle Eaton and the application would help accommodate the family more comfortably with an additional ensuite bathroom being the main objective.

·        Previously two storey extensions had been refused due to design and conservation issues which had resulted in the current comprise application and enable the family to remain in the village.

·        Although there had been local objections and one letter of support the Council’s conservation officer had not raised any objections.

·        The application was relatively modest in its proposals and had been supported by the recommendation of Council officers.

·         

Submissions against the application were set out in the report and additional submissions against the application can be broadly summarised as:

·        The site sits centrally within the conservation area and was out of character with the surrounding areas due to its design and building materials.

·        That the conservation officer’s view that the application would not cause substantial harm was disputed by neighbours and represented a continual erosion of the character of the conservation area and undermined the status of the conservation area contrary to Policy EN10 of the Local Plan 2026.

·        The proposed flat roof and rear element of the extension and gable would be noticeable and out of character with the surrounding vicinity given that it was within the conservation area and visible from the road.

Resolved – That application numbered S/HOU/19/1799/CLWO be granted subject to the conditions set out within the report.