Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

The City Development Manager presented the application for the construction of two semi-detached dwellings at land adjacent to 16 Barnardo Road, Exeter.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out on the update sheet.

Councillor Shiel, having given notice under Standing Order no.44, spoke on the item. He raised the following points:-

·         representing local residents and speaking with the support of the other Local Ward Councillor

·         was considerable and unanimous local opposition to this proposal

·         had been no such objection to the previous approved application on this site

·         accepted that this site would be developed but it was the impact of the sheer bulk of the proposal on the area and local residents that was the issue

·         the massing of the houses could not be justified and it was to maximise the profit from the site

·         one of the rear gardens did not meet the space standards in the Residential Design SPD

·         the Civic Society objected as no case could be made to support that the application enhanced or made a neutral contribution to the Conservation Area

·         would block out the light and view of the neighbouring properties

·         balconies to the rear had the potential to cause a noise nuisance and loss of privacy

·         asked the Committee to refuse the application because the scale and massing of the building was not in keeping with the Conservation Area.

In response to a Member’s question, Councillor Shiel stated that the local residents accepted that the site would be built on and the applicant should come forward with a less bulky design.

Mr Clarke spoke against the application. He raised the following points:-

·         the design of the proposed development did not preserve or enhance the St Leonard’s Conservation Area

·         it interrupted the rhythm of the street scene and did not integrate into the area

·         the proposal was too high and would over look bedrooms on the opposite side of the road

·         one of the rear gardens did not meet the Council’s space standards

·         the balconies would overlook existing dwellings and the private play area to the rear causing loss of privacy

·         was not against contemporary design but this proposal was overdevelopment of the site and did not fit in with the Conservation Area.

In response to a Member’s question, Mr Clarke responded that he did not object to the previous approved application in 2013 as it was more suitable for the site being two storeys.

Mrs Beresford spoke in support of the application. She raised the following points:-

• in a Conservation Area properties should enhance or preserve the area and not be pastiche
• consulted with the Council to bring this proposal forward
• had purchased the site with outline planning permission
• would use red brick in keeping with the area
• proposal would provide for two off-street parking places for each dwelling
• the balconies and terraces would be to the rear as the previous approved application; no terraces to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 20 October 2015 at 9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Buswell, Choules and Mottram.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 20 October 2015 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Choules, Lyons and Mottram.