Appeal 3336772

The appeal is dismissed.

Since the decision was made by the Council, a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) was published (19 December 2023). This does not materially change the planning policy context in respect of

The appeal has been supported by the [name] and Alterations Supplementary Planning Document (2011) for Swindon Borough Council. As this SPD relates to another Council it is not be relevant to the appeal proposals and, therefore, I have not had regard to its content.

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

The appeal site is a two-storey detached dwelling with an attached double garage to side. The dwelling has a pitched roof design, with half-hips on the main roof. A wide single-storey flat-roof extension is located to the rear. The dwelling is located within a predominantly residential area, with [address] comprising detached dwellings of varying design, although the half-hip roof design is a consistent characteristic. The dwelling backs on to [address], with the rear of the dwelling terminating views along a cul-de-sac. From here the roof, first floor, and upper part of the rear extension are visible, above the fenced boundary. The roofs of other dwellings on [address] are also visible.

The extension would be sited above the existing wide ground floor rear extension. Cumulatively, with the existing ground floor extension, the proposals would result in the full loss of the original rear elevation of the dwelling. The extensions would add considerable mass and bulk to the dwelling, resulting in a dominant addition which erodes the original character of the property.

The proposed roof design has a pitch that is significantly shallower than the main roof of the dwelling. This would markedly contrast with the characteristic hip-roof design of the host property and other properties on [address]. The design of the extension would therefore fail to harmonise with the existing dwelling, resulting in an unacceptable loss of its character.

It is acknowledged that, from [address], the extension would only be glimpsed over the attached garage. However, the extension would be clearly visible from [address]. Its scale is such that it would appear as a prominent addition when viewed along the cul-de-sac. Furthermore, from here, the incongruity of the roof design would be most apparent and would appear significantly at odds with existing dwelling and other visible roofs on [address].

For the above reasons, the proposed development would have a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the dwelling and surrounding area. Therefore, the proposed development would conflict with Policy BE2 of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (2021); the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan Design Supplementary Planning Document; and, the Framework. Together, amongst other things, these seek to achieve high quality design in new developments and require development to respect characteristics of the site and surrounding area.

For the above reasons the appeal is dismissed.