Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Thu 25 May 2023

The proposals seek to construct a single storey rear extension with single side garage at the above-mentioned property. The Highway Authority would be unable to support the proposed development.

As detailed within paragraph 13.71 of the SPD, off-road car parking should be designed so that cars do not overhang the highway and to overcome this, when a driveway is in front of a garage, it should be a minimum of 5.5m long. If the garage door is of a roller shutter type, then this distance can be reduced to 5m.

The proposed driveway measures at only 3.8m long which falls short of the requirements as detailed above by between 1.2-1.7m which would result in unacceptable overhang of the public highway on Montacute Avenue. The overhang of parked vehicles would lead to an obstruction to pedestrians travelling along this route and give rise to concerns of highway safety.

Furthermore, in order for a garage to be considered as a contribution to off-street parking demand, the internal dimensions would need to be 6.5mx3.5m as detailed within Table 29 of the SPD. The proposed garage is only 4.7m long and would therefore not be considered large enough to accommodate a parked car.

In order for a tandem parking arrangement to be achieved, there needs to be a minimum of 9.6m in length for an open driveway and a minimum of 11.5m in length where one space is provided within a garage and the other on a drive.

It would appear that these minimum required dimensions would be unable to be met due to the constraints of the site (though a car port may be more suited and present a possible solution).

Incidentally it is noted that the submitted drawings notate that the property is currently served by an existing driveway. However, the hardstand does not have any lawful right of access as it is not benefitted with a vehicle crossing over the footway and associated dropped kerb. If the alternative off-street parking arrangement were to be approved, then the LHA would recommend that the existing front boundary wall be extended across what is currently notated as a driveway.

In conclusion, the LHA would be unable to support the proposed development in its current form due to the inadequate parking arrangement proposed. The proposed development would result in parked cars protruding over the adjacent public highway which would present an obstruction to pedestrians and give rise to concerns of highway safety.

Recommendations:

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

If 'object' on what grounds?

Reasons for refusal:
Inadequate Site:
It is considered that the site is of an inadequate size to accommodate the development proposed to a standard that would comply with the Highway Authority's' planning requirements. The proposal would likely prejudice public safety and convenience and give rise to issues of highway safety.

The proposal(s) are therefore contrary to Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan adopted March 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

25/05/2023