Appeal 3315528

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the demolition of a garage, the erection of a single storey side extension, a replacement front porch and to widen the driveway, at [site address] , [site address] [postcode] , in accordance with the application, Ref 22/02144/AMCON, made on the 16 September 2022 and the drawing Ref 20-8PL-PL-02.2 [name], without compliance with the conditions previously imposed on the planning permission Ref 20/02403/HOU granted on 3 December 2020 by the Council.

The main issue in this appeal is the effect of the facing materials used to construct the porch and side extension on the character and appearance of the host dwelling and streetscape.

The host dwelling is a two storey semi-detached property where the development together with the facing materials the subject of this appeal has already been built. Nevertheless, I must still base my decision purely on the planning merits of the case. The tiles on the main roof of the house have a dark brown appearance due to exposure to the weather, although they appear to have been red originally. The walls of the main part of the dwelling comprise red brick.

The tiles on the porch and side addition are grey. However, the colour is fairly subdued and reasonably dark. The timber cladding is relatively light and provides a degree of contrast with the red brickwork. However, the latter is not overly dark and, in any event, the approved scheme included black cladding, therefore implicitly acknowledging acceptability of the principle of contrasting materials in the extensions. It is likely that over time both the tiles and cladding will become darker with exposure to the weather.

The timber is a less solid material than the adjacent bricks and therefore assists in ensuring that the fairly modestly sized additions appear subordinate to the host dwelling. The development comprises discrete enlargement of the original property with noticeably lower and separate roofs, rather than continuing existing roofs on the same lines. This gives significant scope for variation in the facing materials.

There are noticeable differences in the materials used in the street. Even immediately adjacent properties of the same design often have different roof tiles, with some having a flat profile and others having ridges. There are also fairly prominent examples in the street of the use of timber in garages, car ports and sheds and render is a relatively common material. Towards the end of the cul de sac there are two dwellings with grey roof tiles that are fairly similar in colour to those used at the appeal site.

In the above circumstances the grey tiles and attractive natural timber cladding do not provide an unacceptable contrast with the external materials found in the original property. They comprise harmonious and sympathetic materials that are compatible with the context and do not appear unduly prominent or incongruent.

The materials have therefore not resulted in harm to the character and appearance of the host dwelling or streetscape. There is compliance with Hart Local Plan (Replacement) 1996-2006 [name], Policy GEN 1 (i), which is concerned, among other things, with ensuring that development is in keeping with the local character by virtue of its materials. The development is of a suitably high quality of design and the building materials reflect the distinctive qualities of the surroundings, in accordance with these aims of Policy NBE9 of the Hart Local Plan (Strategy and Sites) 2032.

As the development has already taken place and is acceptable, a condition specifying the approved plans is not needed. For the same reason a materials condition is also unnecessary. The Council suggests that the materials should be maintained in their existing condition. However, this would be an unduly onerous requirement for a property that is not subject to any particular designation such as a Listed Building or a Conservation Area.

As a result of the above conclusions and taking account of all other matters raised, it is determined that the appeal succeeds. As a result, a new planning permission is granted which is not subject to any conditions.