Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004 - Stroud District Council

Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004
The nature and number of vehicle movements associated with four apartments is less than associated
with a working yard, with the type of vehicles being far more appropriate for a residential area than a
number of commercial vehicles. The reduction is vehicle numbers and size would also have less impact
on the surrounding road network. In acknowledgement of the sub-standard nature of the surrounding
roads, the scheme includes the provision of a turning area which, subject to suitable parking controls,
would provide a distinct benefit to all of the local residents. The provision of such a facility would not
prejudice the ability of emergency vehicles to access the site.
Whilst the scheme would result in the loss of parking for the existing residents, this parking is of an
informal nature only and is not protected. Again this loss would occur if the authorised use of the yard
recommenced.
Recommendation
The scheme represents an acceptable form of residential development which in light of the authorised
use of the site will not give rise to adverse concerns of highway safety. The proposal therefore accords
with Policies H14 and G5 of the Stroud District Local Plan Revised Deposit Version (as amended June
2001) and conditional permission is recommended.
Sites Inspection Panel
The Panel walked along Churchfield Road noting the grain of the street, as well as the vernacular style.
The current dilapidated condition of the application site was also evident and the position of the adjacent
dwellings. The siting of the new dwellings and the proposed parking/turning areas were indicated.
The Ward Member, Cllr. Majoram highlighted the character of the existing streetscene and the existing
houses, and felt that the scheme was poorly designed and overdevelopment. He also suggested that
there are current problems of parking and narrow access roads, and disputed the use as a builders yard.
The Town council was not represented .
The Panel generally supported the principle of the scheme, but felt that the design was too bland and
failed to respond adequately to the context. Furthermore, there seemed to be scope to increase car
parking by the turning head.
Application Update
Following the Sites Inspection Panel revised plans have been submitted indicating a revised design for
the four apartments which better reflects the local vernacular. In addition the proposed turning head has
been deleted and replaced with additional parking spaces and increased carriageway width. In this
manner an element of replacement parking is proposed to off-set the informal areas lost due to the
development together with an enhancement of the existing road network. These amendments would
result in an acceptable form of development which accords not only with the aforementioned policies but
also with the comments of the Sites Inspection Panel.
Condtional permission is recommended.
In compiling this recommendation we have given full consideration to all aspects of the Human Rights
Act 1998 in relation to the applicant and/or the occupiers of any neighbouring or affected properties. In
particular regard has been had to Article 8 of the ECHR (Right to Respect for private and family life) and
the requirement to ensure that any interference with the right in this Article is both permissible and
proportionate. On analysing the issues raised by the application no particular matters, other than those
referred to in this report, warranted any different action to that recommended.
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