Appeal 3331826

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the conversion of bungalow to two storey property with dormers to the front and full height to the back with flat roof at [site address] , Warwickshire in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref 039764, dated 28 July 2023, subject to the following conditions:

The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this decision.

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: OS 1:500 b90e/uk/982164/1323840 and 1:1250 p4e/uk/982164/1323843; and drawings 1-6.

The external works shall match the materials of the existing dwelling. If alternative roofing materials are to be used these shall not be incorporated into the works until the details have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority in writing. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

The main issue is the effect on the character and appearance of the area.

The council’s concerns relate only to the proposed front dormer windows. These would be modest in size and would be positioned above the larger ground floor windows. They would retain the symmetry of the dwelling and sit comfortably within this existing large area of roof. The front alterations would www.planningportal.gov.uk/planninginspectorate Appeal Decision: APP/W3710/D/23/3331826 not therefore detract from the original design of the dwelling or be at odds with its design or detailing.

This is the only bungalow in an area of predominantly two storey houses. It already departs from the character and appearance of the neighbouring houses. It does not however detract from the character of the area and adds some interest to it. The proposal would retain the distinction between the dwelling types and as the design would be sensitive to the appearance of the property, it would not detract from the character or appearance of the area. There would be no conflict with the requirement for a high standard of design set out in policy BE3 of the Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Plan 2011-2031 (2019).

There would similarly be no conflict with paragraphs 13.9 and 13.10 of the [name] and Construction Supplementary Planning Document 2020 as the dormers would be in harmony with the design, character and layout of the property; would not dominate the existing house; and would not appear intrusive, prominent or incongruous in the street scene or from public areas. There would be no conflict with the design aspirations of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023.

As there are no other matters that weigh significantly against the proposal, I allow the appeal.

I have imposed conditions relating to the commencement of development and the details of the approved plans for the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning. Whilst the materials would generally match the existing, the application form indicates that the roof tiles may be changed, but the detail of this has not been settled. I have therefore required that if the roof tiles are to be changed, that the details be agreed with the council to ensure that the development would have a satisfactory appearance.