Agenda item

Erect a first floor extension to include balcony, front porch and associated works and landscaping (with variation of condition 2 of P/HOU/2023/00174 - to amend ridge height, include solar panels and additional roof light and amend landscaping scheme; and discharge condition 3 to agree external facing materials).

Cllr Monks and Cllr O’Leary left the meeting at 12:20

The meeting adjourned from 12:20 – 13:00.

Cllr Bawden moved to the public speaking section of the Council Chamber.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the application, which was to vary a condition on a previously approved application to change the ridge height on the dwelling from an increase of 1.3m to 1.6m.

The site within Lyme Regis was identified on a map and the nearby South West Coast Path and the entrance to the Spittles were highlighted. Photographs were provided of the other properties in the area, showing a variety of different styles in the area.

The proposed plans were shown to members and were overlaid against the original plans, to give a sense of the proposed change in the height of the dwelling, which was 300mm. Various photographs from the street and footpath looking towards the site were provided, which showed that the site would benefit from the screening of trees in the summer to minimise views of the site and it was not considered that there would be a significant impact on the landscape as a result of the proposed change.

The key planning issues were summarised and although it was recognised that the higher ridgeline would impact on the views of a neighbouring property, it was not considered to be overwhelmingly overbearing.

Mr Offord, a nearby resident, spoke in objection to the application, stating that the dwelling was too large and overly dominant for the area. He stated that the large size of dwelling detracted from the National Landscape and South West Coast Path and that the dwelling would be significantly larger than the other chalet bungalows in the area.

Mr Bastin spoke in support of the application, he explained that there had been a mistake with the original drawings, which resulted in the dwelling being built 300mm higher than intended and the higher ridge height was not intentional.

Ms Wells spoke as the agent for the application. She noted that the design and style of the dwelling had previously been approved and the application was just to vary the height of the dwelling by 300mm. It was explained that this had been a genuine mistake in the construction of the dwelling, however the higher ridge height was not a significant change to the previously approved application.

Cllr Bawden spoke as the Ward Member for Lyme and Charmouth. She explained that the Town Council had also objected to this application and that the comparison to the nearby former care home was misleading as the other chalet bungalows in the area were of a modest size and this dwelling would be completely out of character for the road. She disagreed with the views that the application wouldn’t result in harm to area.

Cllr Bell left the meeting at 13:31.

Cllr Bawden left the Council Chamber 13:38.

Several members asked for the photographs to be brought back so they could get a better idea of the appearance of the dwelling from various viewpoints. In response to one member’s question the Development Management Team Leader explained that a previous application had been refused due to both the height and proximity of the dwelling to neighbours and this application was not considered to be overbearing at the proposed height.

Several members expressed support for the application, noting the relatively modest change in the height of the dwelling, compared to what was originally proposed, however one member stated that they believed that there was harm being caused by the dwelling to the setting of the area and the Spittles.

It was proposed by Cllr Kimber and seconded by Cllr Shortell that the application be approved.

Decision: That the application be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.