A planning application to erect two one-bed flats at a Manor Farm Road property close to the Triangle has now been approved, with councillors granting conditional permission following an earlier refusal and a dismissed appeal.
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As previously reported, a revised proposal for 41 Manor Farm Road was for a rear extension combining single- and two-storey sections, with roof-space accommodation.
A three-bedroom dwelling would be retained.
Diana Tizzard, speaking on behalf of objectors, and a neighbour, raised various concerns – among them that, “An attractive three-bedroom family home and gardens is to be lost within an area accommodating four nearby schools.”
She added: “Numerous family homes on our street have already been lost to flat conversion, and the council’s core strategy paper notes the imbalance of housing mix supply due to the proliferation of flat development in Southampton. Our area does not need further one-bedroom flats.”
Planning case officer Mark Taylor responded, saying that in terms of the housing mix there remained a “significant number of family dwellings retained in the area – we’re not overwhelmed with flats in this area.”
He added that a planning inspector had already said parking was sufficient during the appeal process.
And in terms of ‘setting a precedent’ - another concern - he stressed that each application is assessed on its merits.
The application was approved by the council’s planning committee on December 16.
Further details can be found in our earlier report on the application.