schedule of planning applications

Since the refusal the agent has been in discussion with officers in relation to
amendments which might overcome the reasons for refusal.
The Proposal
It is proposed to erect the block of 9 flats in a similar position but slightly forward of
the existing house, 38m into the plot and adjacent to the southern boundary. The
existing 6m wide highway access is to be enlarged two metres further south with an
electric gate set 6m into the plot. Hard-surfacing would meander through the site,
providing access to the 9 car port spaces in three blocks, four parking spaces, a bin
store and a cycle store.
Since 3/10/0822 the following amendments have been made to the scheme:
- The depth of the building has been reduced by 5m
- The number of flats has been reduced by one and the number of bedrooms
reduced from 2 one bedroom and 8 two bedroom flats to 4 one bedroom and 5 two
bedroom flats.
- The indicative plans show third floor accommodation (within the roof space) has
been reduced and the roof form altered to reduce its bulk on the east, south and
western elevations.
- The indicative plans show a significant reduction in windows facing the southern
boundary; there is now only one secondary bedroom rooflight at first floor.
- Parking provision has been altered to provide 9 car port spaces and 4 visitor
parking spaces
- 7 protected trees are now shown for removal (4 category B and 3 category C)
instead of the loss of 20 trees on the refused scheme.
The Site and Context
The site comprises two plots. No. 300 is a chalet bungalow with a pitched double
garage and a large gravel drive which is well screened from the highway by
established hedging and trees. No. 302 to the north is a more open, undeveloped site
which was formerly owned by a local water company and through which a water main
runs. The land slopes down to the east so the centre of the site is approximately
1.3m lower than New Road. A public footpath runs along the northern boundary
providing access between New Road and Golf Links Road.
Properties on the east side of New Road, of which the application site forms a part,
comprise two storey dwellings within spacious, sylvan plots. There are blocks of flats
on the western side of the road but these are outside of the Special Character Area.
Impact on the Special Character Area
Policy HODEV2 of the East Dorset Local Plan (EDLP) specified that new housing will
be permitted in urban areas where the proposed development will, inter alia, ‘create
places and spaces which are attractive and respect and enhance local character’.
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) No. 27 sets out the criteria for which the
area has been designated a Special Character Area (SCA). New Road SCA is
characterised by detached single or two storey family dwellings set back from the
road, in large or very large plots. The number of mature trees, together with boundary
hedges and understorey planting strengthen the feeling of enclosure and privacy
between properties.
48