Agenda item
3/20/0178/FUL - Single storey extension to south-west elevation and alterations to ramp and railings at Verwood Library, 1 Manor Road, Verwood
To consider a report by the Head of Planning.
Minutes:
The Committee
considered an application 3/20/0178/FUL - single storey extension to south-west
elevation and alterations to steps and railings at Verwood Library, 1 Manor Road,
Verwood which was designed to provide a new staff and accessible toilet. Doing
this would enable the library’s toilet facility to be more accessible to those
working at and visiting the library and comply with the necessary statutory
regulations relating to this. Whilst reference had been made for a ramp to be
constructed for access purposes, officers confirmed that this was not he case
and never formed part of the proposals of the formal, with the steps being considered satisfactory to serve the purpose of
access.
With the aid of a visual presentation,
officers explained what the main
proposals and planning issues of the
development were; how these were to
take place; why they were necessary; and
what the benefits of the
development entailed. Plans and photographs
provided an illustration of the
location, dimensions and configuration of
the library, its setting within Verwood; how the new extension and access
arrangements would look and where the steps would be; the materials to be used
and the reasons for why it was to be orientated in the way proposed. Officers
showed its relationship with neighbouring property and amenity, including the
united reformed Church, with the characteristics of the site being shown too.
Whilst the proposed extension, new steps and
its associated railings would be
visible from the public realm, due to its
modest scale and form it was considered that this would have a very limited
impact on the appearance in the wider sense. Whilst the extension would bring
the building closer to the
side/south-western boundary by approximately
1.2m, no new windows were necessary, with the existing external window being
replaced with an internal door for access to the new toilet. And as such the
separation distance was not considered to be harmful. Moreover, this part of
the library already accommodated a toilet so there was no change of use, merely
an increase in size. Accordingly, it was considered to be acceptable as there
was no significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity.
Having assessed the material considerations
- as outlined within the report – with the proposal considered to accord with
policy HE2 of the Local Plan,
officers considered there not to be any
matters which would warrant a refusal of planning permission in this case and
the Committee’s approval was now being sought, subject to conditions. Given
that the application was made by Dorset council, the need for Committee
consideration gave it credibility and ensured transparency of the decision
making process.
Formal consultation had not met with any
formal objections, Verwood Town Council included.
The opportunity was given for members to ask
questions of the presentation
and what they had heard. However, whilst the relevance of the ramp
mentioned was not part of what the Committee were being asked to consider, some
members asked why this could not be the case, considering that a ramp would be
beneficial for those less able to use steps.
Officers confirmed that in any event there would not be room to
accommodate these and there were already sufficient means of access throughout
the library that were accessible for all, which were wholly DDA compliant. Moreover the steps were predominantly
for staff access, with there being alternative public toilets available in the
nearby vicinity.
The Committee understood the need for the
extension and saw it as a valued public asset and recognised what the benefits
of this would be to the library overall. Whilst some members maintained their
reservations about there not being a ramp and asked if some further
consideration could be given to this if practicable, officers reaffirmed that
the ability to accommodate these could well prove prohibitive.
Having had the opportunity to discuss the
merits of the application, having
understood what was being proposed and the
reasoning for this; having taken
into account the officer’s report and what
they had heard at the meeting and the position of the Town Council, the
Committee were satisfied in their understanding of what the proposal entailed
and, on that basis – being proposed by Councillor Bartlett and seconded by
Councillor Cook - on being put to the vote – the Committee agreed, unanimously,
that the application should be approved, subject to the conditions set out in
the officer’s report.
Resolved
That planning permission be grated for
application 3/20/0178/FUL subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 12 of
the officer’s report.
Reasons for Decision
• public benefit by creating an accessible
toilet at the library.
• sustainable location
• acceptable design and general visual
impact.
• no significant harm to neighbouring
residential amenity
• scale, layout, design and landscaping
respects the context of the site
• no material
considerations which would warrant refusal of this application.
Supporting documents: