Agenda item

The Committee is requested to consider an application for planning permission, details of which are set out in the accompanying report.

The Committee considered planning application 17/0406, 502 Devonshire Road, Blackpool that sought planning permission for the erection of single storey rear extensions to form orangery and six bedrooms and internal alterations to increase overall number of bedrooms from 17 to 25.

Mr Johnston, Head of Development Management, presented the Committee with an overview of the application and the current and proposed site layout plans, elevational and roof plan, location plan, current and proposed car parking provision and aerial views of the site. He advised the Committee that the application sought to create 25 single en-suite bedrooms, an increase in the current provision of 14 single and 3 double bedrooms which would increase the number of residents that could be accommodated from 20 to 25.

Members were shown the proposed plans in the context of the development’s proximity to neighbouring properties.  Mr Johnston advised on amendments to the application since it was originally submitted to reduce an element to single storey and to reduce the height and design of the other single storey element.  He referred to the additional representations reported in the Update Note in support of the application.  He reported on the parking provision and indicated that the development satisfied the parking requirements set out in the parking standards. In response to a question from the Committee, Mr Patel, Network Planning and Projects Manager, confirmed that the Head of Highways and Traffic Services had withdrawn his objection to the proposal following receipt of further information regarding an increase in parking provision and the allocation of specified spaces for staff and visitors.

Mr McGauley, Public Objector, spoke in objection to the proposal confirming that whilst he was not against an extension to the property in principle, he had concerns about the impact of the current proposal on his amenities due to the size and bulk of the proposed development.  He asked the Committee to consider deferring the application to provide an opportunity for an alternative proposal to be investigated.

Mr Workman, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in support of the application and reported on his view of the benefits of the proposed development, which included the enhancement of a community asset and the increase in the number of residents that could be accommodated.  In his opinion, the proposed development met the requirements of relevant policies within the Council’s Core Strategy and Local Plan.  Mr McLougley, Applicant, also spoke in support of the application and reported his opinion on the benefits of the scheme, the amendments made to the original proposal to reduce the impact on neighbouring properties and his view that there would be sufficient car parking provision.

The Committee considered the application and raised concerns relating to the impact of the proposed development on the amenities of the occupiers of 504 Devonshire due to its positioning, the length of the proposed extension and its proximity to the neighbouring property.  Members considered that a deferral of the application to a future meeting would be appropriate to give the applicant the opportunity to consider the Committee’s concerns regarding the proposed development’s impact on the amenities of the neighbouring property.

Resolved: That the application be deferred to a future meeting to allow the applicant the opportunity to consider the Committee’s concerns in relation to the proposed development’s impact on the amenities of the neighbouring property.

Background papers:  Applications, plans and replies to consultations on the application.