Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Planning and Regulatory Services

The Acting Major Applications Team Leader spoke to the terms of the report and to supplementary report number 1 advising of a late letter of objection.   Planning permission is sought for the erection of a detached dwelling house within the garden ground of 21 Victoria Road, Helensburgh.  This site has a long history, with an original application in 1990 being refused and the subsequent appeal dismissed.  In 2006 a similar application was made with an Officer recommendation for approval. This recommendation was overturned at a discretionary hearing and the application was refused.  The Applicant appealed this decision and the Reporter allowed the development.  In 2012 an application for renewal of the existing consent was applied for and approved.  A total of 12 objections to this application have been received.  The Helensburgh Community Council has not objected but has raised concerns which are summarised in the report of handling. This current application is for the same scheme as the 2012 application (with some minor amendments) but cannot be considered a renewal because the previous permission has expired.  It is considered that the proposal is acceptable and in accordance with the Development Plan.  The site history and previous approvals are a strong material consideration and it is considered that no new information since the previous approval would warrant a change in recommendation.

Decision

The Committee agreed to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions and reasons:-

1.      The development shall be implemented in accordance with the details specified on the application form dated 13/09/2016 and the approved drawing reference numbers 2016_027-00, 2016_027-01A, 2016_027-02C, 2016_027-03, 2016_027/04B and 2016_027/05 unless the prior written approval of the planning authority is obtained for other materials/finishes/for an amendment to the approved details under Section 64 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

Reason: For the purpose of clarity, to ensure that the development is implemented in accordance with the approved details.

2.      The development shall incorporate a surface water drainage system which is consistent with the principles of Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) compliant with the guidance set out in CIRIA C753 and Sewers for Scotland 3rd Edition. The requisite surface water drainage shall be operational prior to the development being brought into use and shall be maintained as such thereafter.

Reason: To ensure the provision of an adequate surface water drainage system and to prevent flooding.

3.      Development shall not begin until samples of the materials to be used on external surfaces of the buildings and in the construction of hard standings, walls and fences have been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the planning authority.  Development shall thereafter be carried out using the approved materials, or such alternatives that the planning authority may agree in writing.

Reason:  To ensure that the appearance of the development is compatible with its surroundings.

4.      No part of the development shall take place until a construction method statement has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority.  Such a statement shall in particular include the hours of working and the measures proposed to control noise, vibration, dust and other disturbance to local residents caused by the construction work, and to prevent pollution of the Millig Burn.  The work shall be carried out in accordance with the approved statement, unless the prior written consent of the planning authority is obtained for variation.

Reason:  To limit the disturbance caused to local residents by the construction work, and to prevent water pollution from construction activities.

5.      Prior to the occupation of the house, the first 5 metres of the driveway shall be finished in a bituminous material to the satisfaction of the planning authority.

Reason:  To prevent loose material being carried on to the road, in the interests of traffic safety.

6.      Before development begins, tree protection measures in accordance with BS 5837:2012 shall be erected along the edges of the canopies of the trees on or overhanging the site, and these shall not be removed until completion of the development unless approved in writing by the planning authority.

Reason:  To protect the preserved trees on or overhanging the site.

7.      During all construction works on site, including the provision of services, any excavation work through tree root areas shall be undertaken by hand.

Reason:  To ensure that no damage is caused to tree roots during the works.

8.      Before development begins, full details of a replacement tree planting scheme shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the planning authority.  The scheme shall include two replacement trees to be planted close to the west bank of the Millig Burn, the ground preparation details for planting the trees, the proposed tree species and the nursery stock size of the proposed trees in terms of British Standards.  The approved scheme shall be implemented within the planting season following the occupation of the house.  Any replacement tree which in the opinion of the planning authority is dying, severely damaged or becoming seriously diseased within 10 years of the planting shall be replaced  by a tree of similar size and species to that originally planted.

Reason:  To ensure that the landscape character of the site and its surrounding area is maintained.

9.      A bank stability and erosion study relating to the removal of two trees on/close to the Millig Burn banks should be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority prior to works commencing on site.

Reason:  In order to ensure that the integrity of the banks of the burn are not jeopardised during the tree removal.

(Reference: Report by Head of Planning and Regulatory Services dated 22 December 2016 and Supplementary Report number 1 dated 16 January 2017, submitted)