We are delighted to announce that the appeal by the developer, to build five houses and six flats with only five parking spaces, has been REJECTED.

The main reasons for rejection included:

-  the character and appearance of the houses to the rear, that the three storey houses would not reflect the expectation in the Character Area Assessment and that the proposed development would have a materially harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area.

- there are significant parking pressures in the evenings and at weekends and parking on the Loose Road is currently at capacity.   The effect of additional overspill parking would add congestion and inconvenience for local residents and would be potentially hazardous to road users and pedestrians, and the development would have a materially harmful effect on parking and highway safety in the vicinity of the site.

The Planning Inspector had taken note of representations and photos provided by local residents and referred to these and the concerns of residents in his report.

We do not wish to stop any form of development on this site, but we DO want to have residences that will fit in with the surrounding area, will be pleasant places for people to live, and will not make the parking on Loose Road any worse than it already is.

Well done to everyone who cared enough and took the time to submit their written objections, and also to the many people who turned up at the appeal hearing.   These were all noted by the Planning Inspector and helped towards a successful result.

We must also thank Councillor Ian Chittenden for his help, advice and support all the way through this application, and for giving up the whole day to attend the Appeal Hearing and site meeting.

A copy of the Inspector's Report is available here.
Decision date:  October 2011