19/02167/VAR

12 Bleache Place Oxford Oxfordshire OX4 2JD

8 October 2019

Variation of condition 2 (Development in accordance with approved plans) of planning permission 18/01180/FUL (Erection of a 1 x 3-bed dwellinghouse (Use Class C3). Erection of a garage, provision of bin and cycle storage.) to allow the garage roof height to be increased.

This application seeks to vary a previous permission listed under 18/01180/FUL. This was “called in” by councillors on grounds of overdevelopment of the site and possible parking problems and approved at East Area Planning Committee subject to conditions. The officer’s report stated: “The proposed garage is much closer to the rear of the gardens at Sunnyside – less than 1m at its closest point. At 2.5m to the eaves, the roof of the garage will be visible above the boundary treatment. Because of the design of the roof, and the orientation of the site, any overshadowing to these properties will be limited, as for most of the year the sun will be too high in the sky to pass behind the garage. Nevertheless, the proximity of the garage and to some extent the new house, means that there will be some loss of outlook to the gardens at Sunnyside. Officers do not consider that this is of a nature or magnitude that would justify refusing or excluding this element of the scheme, and note that an incidental building could be constructed in the garden of number 12 or 14 under Permitted Development rights. Such structures could be even closer to the boundary and have the same eaves height, but would have a flat roof.” The current application gives no reason for the need to raise the height of the roof. In the light of the officer’s misgivings and the decision by councillors to impose the recommended condition, we believe that this variation should not be permitted.