For an extension to first floor plus rear 2 storey and single storey extensions

Appeal Decision Site visit made on 20 November 2018 by Mr C J Tivey BSc (Hons) BPl MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 28 November 2018 Appeal Ref: APP/K3605/D/18/3210960 46A Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames KT12 1AW  The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant planning permission.  The appeal is made by Mr Kamran Tirmizey against the decision of Elmbridge Borough Council.  The application Ref 2018/0158, dated 11 April 2018, was refused by notice dated 25 June 2018.  The development proposed is for an extension to first floor plus rear 2 storey and single storey extensions. Decision 1. The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for an extension to first floor plus rear 2 storey and single storey extensions at 46A Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames KT12 1AW in accordance with the terms of the application Ref. 2018/0158, dated 11 April 2018, subject to the following conditions: 1. The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than three years from the date of this decision. 2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: RTP-00617-004-C, RTP-00617-001-P1, RTP- 00617-002-P1, RTP-00617-003-0, RTP-00617-005-C, RTP-00617-006-B, RTP-00617-007-B, RTP-00617-008-P1, RTP-00617-009-B and RTP-00617- 010-A. 3. No works to the development hereby permitted shall be carried out above ground level until samples of the materials to be used on the external elevations and roof of the extensions hereby permitted have been submitted to, and approved in writing, by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. Main Issue 2. The main issue is the effect of the appeal proposal upon the living conditions of the occupants of 46 Bridge Street, with specific reference to outlook. Reasons 3. The proposal relates to an existing bungalow fronting Bridge Street and would comprise a first floor addition, thereby providing accommodation over two storeys. 46 Bridge Street is a single storey dwelling set within the southern Appeal Decision APP/K3605/D/18/3210960 2 corner of its site and well away from the shared boundary with 46A Bridge Street. No 46 has windows on its facing elevation, although these are forward of the front elevation of no 46A. 4. The Council stipulates that, contrary to the Elmbridge Design and Character Supplementary Planning Document 2012 (SPD), a 45° line from the side facing windows serving a bedroom within the rear extension of no 46 would be breached. However, I have been provided with no diagrammatical evidence to prove that this would be the case; and I consider that some outlook at the very least would be maintained across the appeal site’s frontage. 5. Therefore, I consider that the proposal by reason of its size, scale and proximity to the boundary would not result in an overbearing impact, and the outlook from 46 Bridge Street and the living conditions of its occupants would not be materially harmed. I find the scheme complies with Policies CS3 and CS17 of the Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011 and Policy DM2 of the Elmbridge Development Management Plan 2015 which, in addition to seeking to deliver healthy and sustainable communities in Walton-on-Thames, require proposals to protect the amenities of those within the area and specifically that development proposals should be designed to offer an appropriate outlook. Conclusion and Conditions 6. For the reasons set out above and having regard to all other matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should succeed. 7. Other than the standard time limit condition, the Council has suggested a condition requiring samples of external facing materials to be used in the construction of the extension to be submitted prior to construction above ground level. I consider that in the interests of the character and appearance of the surrounding area, this is an appropriate condition. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, a condition requiring that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans is also imposed. C J Tivey INSPECTOR