11/00713/F - Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
Principle of development
The site lies within the built environment as defined on the Local Plan inset maps where
there is a presumption in favour of new residential development as set out in the saved
policies. Additionally the Core Strategy seeks to locate new housing development within
King’s Lynn where a significant level of services are offered. The principle of the scheme is
therefore supported.
Although in outline form the siting of the properties inline with the dwellings opposite and to
either side along with retaining sufficient space between buildings ensures the development
respects the form along Sandy Lane. This level of development (2 detached dwellings) is
only achievable due to the above average size of the garden of the dwelling at 122 Grimston
Road. Whilst the recent changes to PPS3 classify the site as Greenfield land this does not
undermine the acceptability of the proposal which respects the form and character of the
area.
Highway safety
Norfolk County Council Highways Authority note the central point of access is acceptable
and recommend conditions retaining the access arrangements, prevention of surface water
drainage discharging onto the highway carriageway, prevention of any obstacles within the
first 5m of the access into the site and provision of visibility splays. These conditions are
considered reasonable and necessary in the interests of highway safety.
Neighbour amenity
Given the orientation of the properties fronting Sandy Lane and siting inline with and
distance from the dwellings to either side along with those to the rear the proposal will not
adversely impact on neighbour amenity.
Both neighbouring properties opposite the site on the eastern side of Sandy Lane oppose
the scheme on grounds of loss of privacy. These properties are 18m, at their closest point,
from the proposed dwellings and only their front gardens will be overlooked. The
development is therefore not considered to result in a material loss of privacy.
Trees and Landscape
The Borough Council Arboriculture Officer notes there will be significant loss of tree and
vegetation cover; however the trees to be removed do not merit further protection. A further
three trees, which are proposed to be retained, are likely to come under post development
pressure for removal as they will obscure natural sunlight from the southern side of one
property for most of the day. Additionally the submitted tree protection plan does not make
adequate provision for the protection of a further tree.
In order to adequately address the impact of the trees to be removed, those likely to be
removed in the future and prevent any further loss of trees mitigation in the form of an
appropriate landscaping scheme and ground protection measures is necessary. As outline
consent is sought with ‘landscaping’ reserved this can be addressed as part of the reserved
matters application.
11/00812/O Development Control Board
25 July 2011
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