An outline application to redevelop a pair of semi-detached houses into a three-storey building comprising nine flats has won approval by councillors.
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The plans went before the council’s Planning and Rights of Way Panel meeting on Tuesday (Dec 10), recommended for approval by officers.
As previously reported, various concerns had been raised about the development of the pair of dwellings at 49-51 Belmont Road, including over scale, design, environmental sustainability, parking and highway safety.
The officer’s responses to previously received objections had generally emphasised compliance with local standards, minimal harm, and mitigation measures, such as improvements to highway safety, adherence to design guidelines, or conditions for sustainability and landscaping.
During the meeting, councillors discussed issues including the number of parking spaces in an area well-served by public transport, sustainability measures such as solar panels, hours of noise during construction, and the loss of a period building that could potentially be repurposed.
The planning officer highlighted the development’s compliance with energy and water efficiency standards, the balance struck in providing two fewer parking spaces than the maximum allowed to discourage car use, and contributions towards local pedestrian and cycling improvements.
On construction noise, it was explained that the development was small in scale and would be completed relatively quickly, with not all activities being disruptive. Reducing working hours, it was argued, would probably prolong the construction period.
Regarding the loss of the existing building, the officer noted that the applicant had been made aware of comments suggesting it could be repurposed but had chosen to proceed with the application.
“The building isn’t listed. It’s not in a conservation area … and there’s no policy to require those buildings to be retained,” he said. But the scheme would deliver more housing, for which there is a need, he added.
Following these discussions, the panel approved the outline application.