Agenda item

Full: Householder: Erection of outbuilding to front of property

Mr Adam Birkett Head of Planning and Transportation presented the report to the committee.

The application related to the erection of an outbuilding (referred to as a ‘winter room’ within the application) to the front of a two storey semi-detached property located on Richmond Road, Accrington.

Mr Birkett gave a description of the proposed building which comprised of the following details: The building would measure approximately 5.4m x 2.6m, with a maximum height of 2.5m. The outbuilding would be topped with a flat roof. The elevations of the building would be finished with a render to match the main house, with the rear elevation proposed to feature a black composite door and a white uPVC window.

Mr Birkett informed the committee that the base of the outbuilding had already been laid.

No Objections had been received from Lancashire County Council Highways Team or Neighbouring Properties.

No consultation response was received from Hyndburn Borough Councils Environmental Health Team.

The application was recommended for refusal by officers due to; the proposal resulting in a poorly designed and incongruous form of development that fails to respond positively to, or enhance the immediate context, or being of detriment to the visual amenity of the area contrary to Policy DM26 of the Hyndburn Development Management Development Plan Document, Policy Env6 of the Hyndburn Core Strategy, Design Guidance 14 of the Householder Design Guide SPD and National Planning Policy Framework.

Members of the committee discussed the application and gave consideration to the points raised by the applicant as to the purpose of the outbuilding.

While the committee emphasised the need to follow officer guidance and for applications to be in accordance with planning policy they also considered the extenuating circumstances facing the family in question and the impact refusing the application would have on the lives of the children which the application proposes to support.

Resolved – The committee went against officer recommendations and voted to Approve the application with delegated authority given to the Head of Planning and Transportation to impose appropriate conditions.

N.B – 1. Tariq Hussain – Spoke in favour of the application.

·         Emphasised the purpose of the outbuilding as a solution to his child accessing education in a calm and stimulating space free of the challenges posed by standard schooling.

·         Gave details of the health conditions which impact his child accessing traditional learning.

·         Explained that the outbuilding is a financially viable solution to the family’s challenges in ensuring their child receives the educational support needed.

·         Informed that considerations have been made to minimise disruption to neighbouring properties and the gradient of the property reduces the visibility of the proposed site from the road.

·         Stated that they are prepared to remove the outbuilding should circumstances change and it is no longer needed.

          2. Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP – Spoke in favour of the application.

·         Supported the statement from Mr Hussain in regards to the position of the outbuilding in relation to the highway and its reduced visibility due to the site sloping downwards towards the house.

·         Emphasised that the building would be a great help to the family who are currently struggling to meet their child’s educational needs while trying to reduce the risk to the child’s existing health conditions.