SD25A/0096W
Permission is sought for minor works to the existing 2 no. dwellings as follows: (i) the demolition of a detached garden shed to the front garden of St. Mary's and demolition of 2 no. sheds located to the rear of St. Mary's and Presbytery (comprising a total floor area of 40sqm), (ii) the subdivision of the front boundaries of St. Mary's and Presbytery and alteration to the existing vehicular entrance off Willbrook Road to facilitate 2 no. new vehicular entrances to the existing car parking area and to provide for 2 no. car parking spaces per dwelling, and, (iii) the replacement of the existing windows to the front facade of the existing two storey, semi-detached houses. Planning Permission is also sought for a new residential infill scheme on the lands to the side and rear of the existing dwellings to comprise: (iv) the construction of 5 no. new dwellings comprising 2 no. two-storey detached dwellings and 3 no. three-storey detached dwellings (1 no. three-bedroom unit and 4 no. four-bedroom units), all flat roofed, with each dwelling being served by private amenity space in the form of a rear garden and the three-storey dwellings also being served by private terraces at second floor level; (v) the provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian entrance including reduction in the height of boundary wall off Willbrook Road; and new internal access road serving the proposed residential scheme, and; (vi) the provision of 7 no. car parking spaces, 10 no. resident bicycle parking spaces, and 6 no. visitor bicycle parking spaces to serve the residential scheme. The proposal also includes all ancillary site and infrastructural works which include: the provision of bin stores, foul and surface water drainage, public open space, landscaping, boundary treatments, and all associated site development works necessary to facilitate the overall development. The development results in a total of 7 no. dwellings.
Core Refusal Reason
The proposal fails to protect the 10m riparian corridor of the Owendore River and constitutes highly vulnerable development within Flood Zone B without adequate flood risk assessment or surface water management.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development encroaches into the mandatory 10m riparian buffer of the Owendore River, failing to protect native vegetation and the ecological integrity of the watercourse.
- The application lacks a site-specific flood risk assessment and adequate SuDS provision for a site located within Flood Zone B, which is unsuitable for highly vulnerable residential infill of this scale.
- Insufficient technical information was submitted regarding biodiversity surveys, archaeological impacts on a Recorded Monument, noise mitigation, and safe vehicular access and egress.