Agenda item

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of an apartment building comprising 19 flats with commercial use at ground floor plus associated car parking.

The Committee considered an application at 85, 87 and 89, Brighton Road, Redhill for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of an apartment building comprising 19 flats with commercial use at ground floor plus associated car parking.

Jeremy Woolley, a member of the public, spoke in objection to the application stating he lived in a property to the south of the site. The report stated that the element facing the cottages was only 2 storeys tall and thus there would be no adverse impact. However, the main view from the living spaces was of the 4-storey part of the plans, resulting in a significant loss of outlook and daylight compared to the existing building. There would be loss of privacy as the main living spaces would be overlooked by 8 balconies and 6 windows across 8 different flats. It was felt that there had been a lack of consultation and public notice of the proposals. The site should be improved however the Committee was urged to consider whether this development was appropriate.

Phillip Russell, the agent, spoke in support of the application, explaining that work had been carried out with officers on the scheme for 3 years, having listened to objections. Much had been done to address the issues of overlooking and the development was in accordance with Planning Policy.  There was a duty to maximise potential of all sites, particularly brownfield town centre sites, to protect the greenfield and greenbelt sites and to meet the demand for housing. The proposal struck a good balance of maximising the site which would give a mix of high quality private and affordable homes and contributing towards the rejuvenation of the local area. Particular aspects of this scheme were that it was compliant with the policy requirements for Affordable Housing and residential parking spaces; the dwellings per hectare were greater than two recently adjacent approved flatted schemes; and the existing premises were in a dilapidated state.

A reason for refusal was proposed by Councillor Ritter and seconded by Councillor McKenna, whereupon the Committee voted and RESOLVED that planning permission be REFUSED on the grounds that:

1.    The proposal, by reason of the significant height, width, depth of the proposed building, which extends across the entire width and depth of the site and sits above the neighbouring buildings, the bulky roof design, and the unsympathetic design which fails to reflect the form and character of the neighbouring buildings, would be incongruous and cramped overdevelopment of the site, out of keeping with and harmful to the character and appearance of the locality contrary to policies DES1 of the Reigate and Banstead Development Management Plan 2019 and chapter 12 of the NPPF.

2.    The proposal, by reason of its height, depth, bulk, massing and proximity to the dwellings located to the west (Cleveland Cottage and 99A Garlands Road) and north (1-3 Stile Cottages) would appear as a dominant and overbearing structure when viewed from these neighbouring properties as well as result in overlooking and loss of privacy to these dwellings.  The proposal would therefore adversely impact the residential amenities of their occupants contrary to policy DES1 of the Reigate and Banstead Development Management Plan 2019.