Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Fri 19 Sep 2025

This application seeks retrospective planning consent for the construction of a vehicle hardstanding at the above-mentioned property. The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would not wish to raise any in-principle objections to the development.

No details have been submitted which show the extent of the new vehicle crossing and dropped kerb required to provide access to the hardstanding. The new, secondary access would be taken from the turning circle in Leighton Road to the front of the property.

Network Management have been consulted on the proposals and have advised that whilst the provision of a secondary access point for 1x dwelling would usually be unacceptable, they would have no objections in principle to the formation of the new crossing/dropped kerb in this instance. This is due to the need to preserve the use of the turning circle and prevent obstruction by parked cars on-street. The maximum width permissible for a single crossing is 4.8m and therefore, any crossing exceeding this width would be refused. The applicant will be required to apply to Network Management for separate consent to implement the new access.

The levels of visibility are considered acceptable in this instance. Leighton Road is a cul-de-sac where sharp turns need to be navigated (specifically where it meets Maitland Drive) and therefore it is reasonable to assume that the geometry of the road will result in low vehicle speeds. Furthermore, any vehicles egressing from the proposed hardstand will do so onto the turning circle, for which sufficient visibility is provided, before joining the main route through Leighton Road. Whilst visibility to the south could be considered somewhat restricted, vehicles would have the benefit of being able to manoeuvre off the hardstand into the turning circle and then check for any oncoming traffic from the south before proceeding along Leighton Road. In addition, this southern section of Leighton Road only serves 5x dwellings (6 if you include the original vehicular access for the application property) therefore it is again reasonable to consider that the number of vehicle movements from the south would be low.

The level of inter-visibility between emerging cars and pedestrians travelling along the footway is also considered acceptable. However, it is recommended that a 'Preservation of Sight Lines' condition is attached to any grant of consent to ensure that these levels of visibility are maintained.

Recommendations:

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


Planning conditions:
CAR PARKING PROVISION'
The development hereby permitted shall not be brought into use until the car parking area shown on the approved plan (Existing and Proposed Plans and Elevations, reference J736-10-0) has been drained and constructed 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 and enter and leave the site safely, 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 & South West Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034 and Section 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework.'

PRESERVATION OF SIGHT LINES'
No structure, erection or other obstruction exceeding 900mm in height shall be placed, and no vegetation shall be allowed to grow above that height, within the approved sight lines as shown on the Existing and Proposed Plans and Elevations drawing, reference J736-10-01.''

Reason:''
To preserve adequate visibility for drivers of vehicles at the road junction in the interests of public safety in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034 and Section 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework.'

INFORMATIVE: KERB LOWERING
Before the access hereby approved is first brought into use it will be necessary to secure dropped kerbs 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. No crossing exceeding 4.8m in width would be permitted.




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

19/09/2025