New Planning Application Update

Apologies for this belated update.  Local councillors have been consulted (not by us) and we were hoping to report more information about the status of the application  which we are as yet unable to do.

However, we've looked into the new application in a bit more detail now and compared the new proposals with the previously approved plans.  The main points are as reported in the earlier post: the owners wish to build living accommodation and an additional bedroom using the space previously allocated to the garages on plots 3 and 7.  They also want to build a detached,  single garage for plot 7 between the house and plot 2 and a single attached garage for plot 3.

The main impact seems to be on the occupants of the first house in Leadendale Lane with a potential loss of light entering the property and restricted views to the north facing side.

The detached garage for plot 7 means a reduction in its garden size and less space between plots 7 and 2.

As regards plot 3, it looks like the applicants have removed one of the trees which are shown on the approved plans in order to fit the garage in.  And the siting of plot 7's detached garage looks decidedly perilous to the tree that should be planted there!  Or maybe they don't intend to bother.

The documentation itself gives some cause for concern as it states the site name as the George & Dragon, Meaford!  Surely, planning documentation must be completed correctly.  If it isn't, what's the point in having a planning procedure?

We continue to have concerns about the failure to meet condition 19 which should have been met before development work started and should provide details of access to the development once complete.    And yet here we have a proposal which affects the layout of the site and, potentially, its safety.

Like other residents, we want to see this whole saga brought to a rapid conclusion.  However, safety must be a prime consideration.  If you want to object you can do so in writing, via the Borough Council website (link below) or by email.  The planning reference is 16/23982/FUL.  Closing date is 3rd May 2016.

Here We Go Again (Again). Oops, we've used that title before. Sorry!

Residents in the immediate vicinity of the new builds this week received notification that the owners of the site have submitted yet another planning application for a variation of the existing planning permission.  We're still looking into the implications but in summary the owners wish to utilise the garage space for accommodation on plots 3 and 7, and build an extra bedroom on plot 7. In addition, to provide an attached garage for plot 3 and a detached garage for plot 7.

Now that might not sound too bad.  However, the owners have already built the extra bedroom on plot 7 at least.  The planning application is therefore retrospective.

Our initial concerns are that the conditions of the original planning permission have not yet been met so we have no idea of what the access provisions will look like and now the owners wish to take action which could lead to more people living in the houses.  We have a concern that parking might be an issue.

There have been a couple of other developments as well.  First of all, we understand the people who purchased plot 1 have since changed their minds and asked for their deposit back!  We wonder why?  Secondly, we have also been informed that there has been a break-in at one of the properties, plot 1 again, it seems.  You couldn't make this up, could you?  The planning permission was granted in 2010 and here we are nearly six years later still with a building site on our doorsteps.

Once we've looked into the proposals in more detail we'll let you know.