Havant Borough Council Planning Committee Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Denton.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 21 September 2023 and the minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 26 October 2023 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.

There were no matters to be considered for site viewing and deferment.

(The site was viewed by the Site Viewing Working Party)

Proposal:      Creation of new second floor, balconies to first and second floors, three storey front extension, first and second floor rear extensions and erection of new double garage.

The Committee considered the written report and recommendation from the Head of Planning to grant permission.

The Committee received supplementary information, circulated prior to the

meeting, which included:

1.               a revised written deputation submitted by Mr Burgess

The Committee was addressed by:

1.              Mr Burgess, who reiterated the issues set out in his written deputation submitted.

            In response to questions from members of the Committee, Mr Burgess stated that:

a.     The existing building should not be compared with the current application design.

b.     The architectural quality of the current design was poor and did not fit in with the area.

2.              Councillor Turner, who reiterated the issues set out in her written deputation submitted.

3.              Mr Murray, the applicant’s agent, who reiterated the issues set out in his written deputation submitted.

Mr Murray added that the proposed plan would not be an overdevelopment of the site.

In response to questions from members of the Committee, officers stated that:

a.                  The second floor of the neighbouring property contained a recessed balcony.

b.                  There was no increase in the overall height in the current application when compared to the previously approved application.

c.                   The 1.7m high obscure glazed screens would meet the height requirements used in the General Permitted Development Order to determine the height requirements for side elevation permitted clear glazed windows at first floor level to avoid overlooking.

The Committee discussed the application in detail together with the views raised by deputees.

The Committee considered the balance between 2 Bembridge Drive and 4 Bembridge Drive, the previously approved plans of the site, the proposed design of the 2 Bembridge Drive, and the impact of the proposed plans on the street scene of Bembridge Drive.

RESOLVED that application APP/23/00518 be granted permission subject to the following conditions: