SD21A/0202
The setback, widening and relocation of a site entrance northwards along the public road, allowing for improved sight lines and it's repositioning, reordering and construction; a new pedestrian entrance; demolition of small shed/garage structure; filling-in of an existing swimming pool; demolition of a portion of the west flanking courtyard wall to re-establish a historic courtyard entrance ( as seen on Historic 6 Inch (1837-1842), Historic 25 inch (1888-1913) maps); construction of 11 residential units located surrounding Rookwood House (protected structure) on it's associated grounds, made up of Section 1: The Gate Lodge consisting of Unit 1, [1.5-Storey two bed, 4 person detached dwelling (83.50sq.m); Section 2: Mews Houses consisting of Units 2, 3 & 4, (two storey three bed, four person terraced dwellings (105.10sq.m) and Unit 5 (two Storey, three bed, six person detached dwelling (138.00sq.m) and Section 3: Woodland Houses consisting of Units 6 & 9 (2.5-storey, four bed, six person detached dwellings (152.00sq.m), Units 7 & 10 (2.5-storey, four bed, six person semi-detached dwellings (152.00sq.m) and Units 8 & 11 (2.5-storey, three bed, six person semi-detached dwellings (125.90sq.m) and maintaining the existing Rookwood house (protected structure) as a residential house, as is; 22 car parking spaces, new pedestrian footpaths, internal road network, detailed landscaping, services and all associated works.
Core Planning Reasoning
The Board directed the Planning Authority to retain Condition 3(e), which requires the provision of a pedestrian access/footpath to adjoining lands, to ensure future permeability and the creation of well-connected neighborhoods in accordance with sustainable development principles.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The condition requiring a pedestrian link to adjoining lands is reasonable and necessary to facilitate future connectivity and avoid the proliferation of cul-de-sacs in the area.
- While immediate implementation of a link depends on agreement between landowners, the site layout must be designed to facilitate such a connection to meet 'Active Travel' and '10-minute settlement' objectives.
- The overall development of 11 residential units is acceptable in principle under the 'RES' zoning and represents a sensitive intensification of a site containing a protected structure.