Appeal 3274897

The appeal is dismissed.

A previous application1 for a similar form of development was refused in 2020.

The main issue in this case is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.

The appeal property is a detached bungalow constructed of brick, with a tiled roof.

The appeal property is located in a residential area. Much of the character of the area derives from the presence of detached one and two storey dwellings set within spacious garden plots. Houses tend to be set well back from the road, behind front gardens and parking areas, and have longer gardens to the rear.

Occasional street trees combine with the set-back of the houses and garden setting to provide for a distinct sense of greenery and spaciousness. Further, the presence of regular bay features, hipped roofs, tall brick chimneys and the common use of brick, tile and render materials all work together to provide this part of [address] with a distinctive and attractive sense of uniformity. 1 Reference: DC/20/116061.

I noted during my site visit that, whilst many dwellings in the area have been altered and or extended, such changes tend to appear in keeping with the overall character of host properties and the surrounding area.

During my site visit, I also observed that the low height, hipped roofs, tall brick chimney, brick and tile materials and spacious garden plot of the appeal property combine to make a significant positive contribution to the identified attributes of the area.

The proposed development would introduce a new first floor, with a clerestory roof that would overhang the ground floor. I find that the roof profile, overhang and elevational design would result in the development appearing as an incongruous feature, out of keeping with its surroundings. Further, the scale, height and prominent position of the development would combine with this to radically alter and unduly dominate, rather than respect, the appearance of the host property. 10.Further, the harmful impact of this would be exacerbated as a result of the proposed first floor and roof materials, whereby the timber cladding, artificial slate tiles and aluminium windows proposed would fail to appear in harmony with materials more common to neighbouring properties. 11.As a consequence of the above, I consider that the proposed development would result in visual discordance, to the detriment local character. 12.[name] recognise that the proposal would result in energy efficiency and sustainability improvements, these do not amount to such benefits that outweigh the significant harm identified. 13.Taking all of the above into account, I find that the proposed development would harm the character and appearance of the area, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework; to Core Strategy2 Policy 15; to Development Management Local Plan3 policies DM30 and DM31; and to the Council’s Alterations and Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (2019), which together amongst other things, seek to protect local character.