Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Tue 23 Sep 2025

The proposals seek to construction a rear porch extension alongside associated internal alterations and the widening of the existing driveway at the above-mentioned property.

The new section of hardstanding measures 5m long at its shortest point and 2.7m wide, thus providing additional off-street parking for 1x car.

In accordance with best practice guidance, a hardstand should have a gradient not exceeding 1 in 10. The new proposed driveway extension would appear to have a gradient of approx. 1 in 4 which would usually be unacceptable to the LHA.

However, it is noted that extension would match the gradient of the existing driveway that currently serves the property and has a lawful means of access from Shallowford Close. Therefore, it is unlikely that a recommendation of refusal on this basis could be sustained if challenged at appeal.

The Proposed Plans show the provision of an aco channel across the front of the new proposed hardstand. Further details will be required to evidence that the channel will be connected to a positive drainage system within the curtilage of the property to ensure that there is no private surface water run off onto the public highway.

In order for sufficient means of access to be provided to the new parking space, an extension to the existing dropped kerb would be necessary. Network Management have been consulted and have advised that a small extension would be permissible in this location. However, enough distance between the new crossing and neighbouring crossing at number 9 needs to be maintained so as not to negatively impact the level of on-street parking available. The applicant will require separate consent from Network Management for the new vehicle crossing and dropped kerb.

Sufficient levels of inter-visibility at the new site access will be required to safeguard both vehicular and pedestrian movements. Such levels of inter-visibility can be provided by way of a 2mx2m, 45-degree visibility splay (measured from the back of the footway). In order for this to be achieved, it will be necessary for the adjacent retaining wall and the front boundary wall (to the north-west of the access) to be reduced in height to no greater than 900mm. A Provision of Sight Lines condition should be attached to any grant of planning consent to ensure that the required levels of visibility are provided.

Recommendations:

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


Planning conditions:
CAR PARKING PROVISION
The hardstand shall not be brought into use until the car parking area shown on the approved plans has been surfaced and drained by way of a drainage channel across the width of the new access and discharged into a positive drainage system within the private curtilage of the property in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, 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.

PROVISION OF SIGHT LINES
No development shall take place until details of the sight lines to be provided at the junction between the means of access and the highway have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved sight lines shall be provided before the hardstand is first brought into use.

Reason:
To provide adequate visibility for drivers of vehicles at the road junction in the interests of public safety in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth and South West Devon JLP 2019.

INFORMATIVE: KERB LOWERING
Before the access hereby approved are first brought into use it will be necessary to secure dropped kerbs and footway crossings with the consent of the Local Highway Authority. The applicant should contact Plymouth Highways for the necessary approval. Precise details of all works within the public highway must be agreed with the Highway Authority.


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

23/09/2025