PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR 28TH APRIL 2004 (WEST) Page 1 MC2003/1529 Strood Rural Construction of one detached 3-bedroomed bungalow with integral garages and formation of access Land rear of 3 View Road, Cliffe, Rochester, Kent 3 2 MC2003/1929 Peninsula Construction of a two storey guest accommodation block with demolition of existing farm building Cooling Castle Barn, Main Road, Cooling, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8DT 9 3 MC2003/2145 Rochester West Outline application for construction of pair of semi-detached houses Rear of 62 Maidstone Road (fronting Albany Road), Rochester, Kent, ME1 3BS 16 4 MC2003/2667 Peninsula Outline application for the construction of a dwelling house Land adj. to Medtha House, Chapel Road, Isle Of Grain, Rochester, Kent, ME3 0DR 22 5 MC2003/2686 Peninsula Construction of two 4-bedroomed self catering holiday chalets Land at Fenn Croft, Newlands Farm Road, St. Mary Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8QS 27 6 MC2004/0124 Strood Rural Construction of 5 bedroomed detached house with attached garage Rear of 28 Hollywood Lane, Wainscott, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8AL 33 7 MC2004/0309 Strood Rural Insertion of dormer to rear to facilitate loft conversion 39 Jarrett Avenue, Wainscott, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4NN 38 8 MC2004/0506 Strood South Construction of a two storey rear extension 23 The Shades, Rochester, Kent, ME2 2UD 41 9 MC2004/0686 Strood Rural Outline application for residential development at a density of not less than 30 dwellings to the hectare Land at Toad Hall and The Searchlight, Main Road, Chattenden, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8PR 44 BACKGROUND PAPERS The relevant background papers relating to the individual applications comprise: the applications and all supporting documentation submitted therewith; and items identified in any Relevant History and Information section and Representations section with a report. DC0902MW 1 Any information referred to is available for inspection in the Planning Offices of the Council at the Compass Centre, Chatham Maritime, Chatham. DC0902MW 2 1 MC2003/1529 Date Received: 22nd July 2003 Location: Land rear of 3 View Road, Cliffe, Rochester, Kent Proposal: Construction of one detached 3-bedroomed bungalow with integral garages and formation of access Applicant: Mr I P Davison 3 View Road Cliffe Woods Rochester Kent ME3 8JQ Agent: Mr J L Epps Construction & Technical Services Greenfields 137 View Road Cliffe Woods Rochester, Kent ME3 8UH Ward: Strood Rural Recommendation - Refusal (as amended by plan received on 26th March 2004) 1 The proposal represents an undesirable form of backland development that would harm the character and appearance of the area and result in the generation of an unacceptable level of noise and disturbance for the occupiers of adjacent properties as a consequence of vehicular and pedestrian activity associated with the development. The proposal is therefore contrary to the provisions of Policy ENV15 of the Kent Structure Plan 1996, Policies BNE1, BNE2 and H9 of the Medway Local Plan 2003 and Policy QL1 of the Kent and Medway Structure Plan (Deposit Version) 2003. Site Description This application relates to part of the rear and side garden area of number 3 View Road, a detached bungalow set within substantial grounds. The grounds of 3 View Road have a depth of approximately 92 metres and a width ranging between 30 metres to the front, narrowing to approximately 22 metres to the rear. The existing bungalow is set approximately 10 metres from the public highway and there is a gap of 9 metres between the eastern flank wall of the bungalow and its eastern/side boundary. The application site forms part of the rear and side gardens of the application property and the application site comprises two elements. The main part of the site lies to the rear of the existing bungalow and is roughly rectangular in shape having a depth of approximately 46 metres (extending backwards from the rear/northern boundary towards the existing bungalow. The second part of the site comprises a 4.8 metre wide and a 44 metre long strip of land running to the side of the existing bungalow. The garden area of the property is well maintained and there are several trees, including 3 oaks, close to the western boundary, 2 fruit trees and a conifer and a willow within the heart of the application site. There are significant mature tree/shrub screens extending along most of the eastern and rear boundaries of the site. DC0902MW 3 The application site is bounded: to the west by the rear gardens of properties in Town Road; to the north by the rear gardens of houses in Tennyson Avenue; and to the east by the curtilage of 5 View Road which is currently occupied by a small shack set within very substantial grounds. To the south, on the opposite side of the street there is a detached house at number 4 View Road. Proposal The application, as originally submitted, proposed the retention of the existing bungalow and the construction of two, detached, three bedroomed bungalows within the rear garden of the existing bungalow. The application has subsequently been amended and it now proposes is the construction of one bungalow. The proposed bungalow would be L-shaped and have three bedrooms and an integral garage. The bungalow would be clad in stock facing bricks and concrete interlocking tiles. The bungalow would measure approximately 14 metres in depth and would be 15 metres (maximum) wide. The proposed bungalow would respectively have eaves and ridge heights of 2.5 and 5 metres. The front wall of the proposed bungalow would be sited approximately 27 metres from the rear of the existing bungalow (3 View Road). The proposed bungalow would have a rear garden of approximately 27 metres, with a side garden of between 7 and 9 metres to the west and a 1.5 metre gap between the flank wall and the eastern boundary. At its closest point the proposed bungalow would be 8 metres from the 3 mature oak trees that are located approximately midway along the western boundary of the site and are to be retained under this scheme. The proposed bungalow would be accessed via a 3.8 metres wide and 55.5 metre long driveway, with a 0.5 metre wide footway, passing along the eastern side of the existing bungalow. A turning area would be provided in front of the bungalow. The existing bungalow would retain a back garden of almost 24 metres in depth. It is proposed that a 2.5 metre high brick wall would be installed as a screen between the proposed access road and the existing bungalow at number 3 View Road. It is proposed that the existing fences will remain along the western and northern boundaries of the site. Along the eastern boundary the existing chain link fence and conifers will be removed and replaced by a post and rail fence. Site Area/Density Site area: 0.13 hectare (0.32 acre) Site density: 7.7 d.p.h. (3 d.p.a.) Relevant Planning History ME/90/0959 Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of two detached houses with integral garages. Approved 8th January 1991 DC0902MW 4 Representations The application has been advertised on site and neighbour notification letters have been sent to the owners/occupiers of: 1, 2, 4 and 9 View Road; 26 to 36 (even), 36A and 38 Town Road; and 2 to 12 (even) Tennyson Avenue. In response to the originally submitted application the following representations were received. Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council has written objecting to the application on the grounds that this proposal amounts to inappropriate backland development. The Dickens Country Protection Society has written objecting to the application on the following grounds: - over-development; - the development amounts to an undesirable form of backland development; and - the access arrangements are inadequate. Six letters (from five households) of representation have been received objecting to the application on the following grounds: - overlooking/loss of privacy; - noise and disturbance from vehicles using the access at the rear of existing properties; - loss of trees, including oak trees, and wildlife; - the proposal would detract from character of area; - light pollution from street lighting and car headlights; - plans do not accurately show impact on neighbouring properties; - undesirable backland development contrary to Policy H9 of the Medway Local Plan; - piecemeal development; - inadequate private amenity space for the proposed dwellings; - no need for more houses in Cliffe Woods; and - the proposal would increase risk of flooding. Two letters have been received raising no objection in principle, but raising the following concerns: - there is inadequate parking to serve the proposed bungalows; - the access in inadequate for emergency vehicles; - query raised re the lighting arrangements for the access; - the potential for tree loss; and - there should be a 3 metre high fence around the perimeter of the site and no windows in the roofs to ensure there is no loss of privacy or noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties. All consultees and objectors have been notified of the receipt of revised plans and 6 letters have received objecting to the revised application for the following reasons: - backland development; - noise and disturbance; DC0902MW 5 - loss of privacy and security; - the revised layout allows for an additional dwelling to be provided at a later date; - this development would set a precedent for similar development in the area; and - the loss of trees could result in flooding. Development Plan Policies Kent Structure Plan 1996 Policy ENV15 (Built Environment) Policy T17 (Vehicle Parking) Policy RS1 (Development