Planning Applications - Runnymede Borough Council

• Cannot see what has changed for the better from the earlier refusals;
• The applicant owned the site when the previous applications were
refused. The site has been allowed to fall into disuse and neglect by
deliberate dumping by the owners over the years. The site has resulted
in an environmental health hazard. This has been used as a basis for
seeking approval;
• No mention is made of the distance of the dwelling from the common
boundary with no.46 Hummer Road;
• The sewerage layout for the proposal is not given. Sewerage blockages
have been caused in the past by the owners of 53 Strode Street. This is
because the sewer lines empty into the cesspit sited on the front garden
of 46 Hummer Road;
• Loss of view and outlook from first floor side un-obscured window at 49
Strode Street towards Coopers Hill area and associated loss of light;
• Concern that the open 1 metre gap next to no. 49’s garage would reduce
the current level of security. Request that provision is made for a tall
wrought iron fence or similar to deter unauthorised access.
4.3 The County Highways Authority has no objection subject to the imposition of
planning conditions.
5. Planning Considerations
5.1 The site lies in the urban area and so in principle there is no objection to a
new dwelling. The proposal is in line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 3:
Housing (PPG3) 2000 and Policy HO1 (Maximising Housing Potential)
which encourage initiatives to make full and effective use of land within
existing urban area, particularly vacant and derelict land.
5.2 Therefore the main issues to consider are whether the proposal would
respect the established character and street scene pattern of the area, and
safeguard visual and residential amenities.
5.3 The area is predominantly residential with Hummer Road and Strode Street
containing a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced dwellings with a
variety of architectural detailing. The Inspector who considered RU.94/0804
described the site area as dwellings mostly turn-of-the-20th century, twostorey
cottages and often tightly packed. Whilst he agreed that the area
had no very special architectural character he did consider that there was a
consistency of building type, which meant that the overall townscape was
not without merit. Since 1994 the character of the area has not significantly
changed and so the Inspector’s site appraisal is still applicable.
5.4 Given the established character, it is considered that the proposal would not
appear cramped or incongruous. A minimum distance of 1 metre away from
the closest boundary would be acceptable given also that this would be
adjacent to the single storey garage at no.49 Strode Street. The rear