Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Tue 03 May 2022

The proposals seek to construct a two storey side and rear extension with a rear balcony and replacement garage at the above-mentioned property. The Highway Authority would not wish to raise any in-principle objections to the proposed development.

The proposed extension will lead to an increase in bedrooms at the property from 4 to 5 but does not result in an increase in parking demand as 3x spaces would be required in either situation.

The existing parking arrangement at the property comprises a single garage accessed from the rear off Austin Crescent. The garage measures at approximately 5.5 metres in length and 2.4 metres in width which falls short of the minimum internal dimensions as detailed within Table 29 of the SPD (6.5mx3.5m) and therefore it could be questioned whether the garage would be considered as a contribution to off-street parking at the property. In either case there is an established shortfall of a minimum of 2x spaces at the property, with the impacts of such already being felt on the local network.

The proposals seek to demolish the existing garage and construct a hardstand in its place. The hardstand conforms to the size requirements in order to accommodate 1x vehicle and makes use of the existing vehicular crossing which is acceptable in-principle.

The application also intends to construct a replacement garage in the site of the former rear garden. However, at approximately 5 metres long and 4.8 metres wide, the new proposed garage also falls short of the minimum size requirements to allow the garage to be considered as a positive contribution to off-street parking at the property. Notwithstanding this, the proposals are considered to result in a betterment to the provision of off-street parking at the property through the provision of the hardstand and as the impacts are neutral to that already established, the LHA would not wish to raise any in-principle objections to the proposed development.

EV charging provision is required with any new development in order to help reduce the carbon footprint and to promote the use of green energy sources. In accordance with the requirements in the SPD, one standard EV charge point required as part of this development including the provision of a switch inside the property so that power to the charge point can be switched off. The provision of the charge point should be secured via planning condition.

Recommendations:

Support
No objection
No objection subject to appropriate mitigation (as identified below) X
Object to application


Planning conditions:
CAR PARKING PROVISION
The building shall not be occupied until the car parking area shown on the approved plans has been drained and surfaced in accordance with the approved details, and that area shall not thereafter be used for any purpose other than the parking of vehicles.

Reason:
To enable vehicles used by occupiers or visitors to be parked off the public highway so as to avoid damage to amenity and interference with the free flow of traffic on the highway in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth and South West Devon JLP 2019.

ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING PROVISION
The hardstand hereby approved shall not be brought into use until space has been laid out within the site in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority for the provision of 1 standard electrical vehicle dedicated charging point per dwelling. The electrical vehicle charging point shown on the approved plan shall remain available for its intended purpose and shall not be used for any other purpose without the prior consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:
In order to promote sustainable modes of transport in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth and South West Devon JLP 2019.


The proposed development has been considered in accordance with the Councils current Development Plan Policies and having regard for the National Planning Policy Framework.



Abbie Perry

Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure