Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of three new dwellings. As amended on 7/11/2018 and on 16/01/2019.

The Committee considered an application at The Orchard, 13 Beverley Heights in Reigate for the demolition of the existing dwelling and construction of three new dwellings.

Mr Michael Keep, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application on the grounds that:

a)    the bulk, mass and proximity of the proposed development in relation to the southern boundary would cause an unacceptable loss of privacy and harm to the amenity of neighbouring properties in Beverley Heights by virtue of overlooking;

b)    the spacing and density of the proposed development would cause unacceptable harm to the character of the area, contrary to policy Ho15 in respect of the Alma Road and Raglan Road Area of Special Character (RASC); and

c)    the design of the proposed development was considered to be unattractive and therefore contrary to Statement 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Mr Derek Dawson, the agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application on the grounds that the proposals included sufficient screening on the southern boundary to mitigate potential overlooking for the neighbouring properties on Beverley Heights.

The Committee discussed the criteria within policy Ho15 in respect of the RASC; topography; elevation; landscaping; separation distances; loss of privacy; highways access; waste collection; and the impact on the character and amenity of the area.

Reasons for refusal were proposed and seconded and upon a vote it was RESOLVED that planning permission be REFUSED on the grounds that:

1.    The proposed development would, by virtue of the proposed layout, outlook (with each property having two primary first floor bedroom windows on their front elevation) and elevated position of Plots 1 and 2, result in overlooking and loss of privacy to the garden and swimming pool of 2 Beverley Heights, as well as appearing overbearing and dominant when viewed from it.  The proposal would therefore cause significant harm to the residential amenities of this property contrary to policies Ho9, Ho13 and Ho14 of the Reigate and Banstead Local Plan 2005 and the provisions of the Reigate and Banstead Local Distinctiveness Design Guide.

2.    The proposed development would, by virtue of the multiple access arrangements, loss of hedging and amount of hard landscaping at the end of the cul-de-sac cause a harmful interruption of the street frontage which combined with the elevated position, height and scale of the dwellings beyond would cause significant harm to the verdant, open and spacious character of the area including the Alma Road & Alders Road Residential Area of Special Character contrary to policies Ho9, Ho13, Ho14 and Ho15 of the Reigate and Banstead Local Plan 2005, Policy CS4 of the Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy 2014 and the provisions of the Reigate and Banstead Local Distinctiveness Design Guide.