221409
(i) demolition of existing two-storey house and single-storey outbuilding; (ii) construction of a residential development comprising 1 no. three storey over basement level plant room apartment building comprising 27 no. apartments (13 no. one bedroom & 14 no. two-bedroom) with each apartment having access to private amenity space, in the form of a balcony, and having access to an area of communal amenity space (163sq.m), public open space (1,017sq.m), a vehicular parking area (36 no. spaces), 4 no. bicycle sheds (48 no. spaces) and secure bin store all at surface level; (iii) construction of new pedestrian entrance via Old Hill Road; (iv) provision of private amenity space (48sq.m) to serve existing gate lodge dwelling; and (v) all ancillary works including landscaping, boundary treatments, SuDS drainage and all site services, site infrastructure and associated site development works necessary to facilitate the development
Core Refusal Reason
The demolition of a 19th-century dwelling of architectural merit (Hillford House) and its replacement with a poorly designed apartment block that constitutes overdevelopment and poses traffic safety risks.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The demolition of Hillford House, a significant 19th-century country house, would result in the loss of a valuable architectural heritage asset and contravene heritage protection policies.
- The proposed 3-storey apartment block represents overdevelopment of the site, characterized by poor layout, excessive car parking dominance, and inadequate landscaping, failing to protect the amenity of the existing residential area.
- The development poses significant traffic safety risks due to the location of the proposed entrance on Old Hill and lacks sufficient technical detailing regarding surface water drainage and SuDS.