Address:       55 Woburn Street, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2HX

Erection of two storey rear extension.

Applicant:    Ms Whitehead

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/18/02832/FULL for the erection of a two storey rear extension at 55 Woburn Street, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2HX.

There were no additional consultation/publicity responses, comments or additional/amended conditions reported in the Late Sheet.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received a representation from Mr Francis Caldwell, the agent for the applicant.

A ward Member, who had called in the application, drew the Committee’s attention to how the design of the extension was in line with what the NHS considered to be appropriate accommodation for a disabled child, in an acceptable style, at an acceptable scale and linked to the existing Grade II listed building rather than being integrated into it.

The Committee considered the application and in summary discussed the following:

·         Related issues dealt with under the Listed Building application (minute DM/18/107 above refers).

·         That the linking of the two buildings would prevent their sale as separate dwellings.

·         The absence of any objection to the application from the neighbours.

·         That the extension to the Grade II listed building at 49 Woburn Street was actually carried out in 2007 so significant weight should be given to this rather than as indicated in the officer report.

·         The existing room described as a third bedroom was so small as to be below the legal requirement for that use.

·         The latest planning guidance favoured extensions to older properties to be in a contrasting design to that of the original dwellings and not to join them but to link them.  The proposed extension was of a modern design which contrasted with the existing 18^th century listed building.

Note: At this point in the debate, and contrary to the officer recommendation, it was moved that the application be approved for the following reasons:

Greater weight should have been given to existing extensions to neighbouring listed buildings

There was no adverse impact on the amenity of the applicant’s neighbours or else they would have objected

The existing character and appearance of the neighbourhood

There was no harmful impact on the character and appearance of the dwelling or Ampthill Conservation Area so it did not, therefore, conflict with policies DM13 and CS15.

The motion was seconded.

In response to Members’ comments the planning officer advised that the possible sale of the proposed extension as a separate dwelling could be stopped by including a condition preventing its occupation on an individual basis.

On being put to the vote 10 Members voted to approve the application, 0 voted against approval and 2 abstained.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/18/02832/FULL relating to 55 Woburn Street, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2HX be approved as set out in the Schedule attached to these minutes.