Appeal 3371694

The appeal is dismissed.

The site visit was undertaken by a representative of the Inspector whose recommendation is set out below and to which the Inspector has had regard before deciding the appeal.

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

The appeal site (No 179) is located at the entrance to a short residential cul-de-sac, which branches off [address]. There is much commonality on the street in terms of the detached plots, two storey height of properties, attached garages, hipped roofs and prevalence of white fenestration and brick facades. There is a mix of gable sided and gable fronted properties, some of which have been extended to the side. However, such extensions are mainly consistent in design and scale and maintain a subordinate relationship with the main dwelling.

Previous alterations to No 179 including its porch, loft conversion and facing materials give it a different aesthetic to neighbouring dwellings on the cul-de-sac. Nevertheless, it is a broadly similar size to these dwellings and the subservience of the garage and space this provides at first floor level between the dwelling at [address], ensures that the dwelling sits comfortably within the street.

The Bromsgrove District Council High [name] (SPD) (2019) requires side extensions to be subordinate in size and prominence. To achieve this, the SPD specifies that extensions should be clearly set down from the ridge of the dwelling and set back from the principal elevation.

Due to its roofline level with the host dwelling’s ridge, the front gable feature and the alignment of the first floor front elevation flush with the principal elevation of the dwelling, the extension would lack the subservience specified in the SPD. As a result, the proposal would have an unduly bulky appearance and would make the extended dwelling appear visually dominant alongside the neighbouring dwelling at [address]. This effect would be exacerbated by the appeal site’s prominent position at the entrance to the cul-de-sac.

I accept that the development would utilise materials which would complement the host dwelling. However, this would not be sufficient to assimilate the discordant scale of the extension or the resultant dwelling amongst other dwellings on the street.

[name] acknowledge that the applicant sought to engage with the planning process and made certain design amendments in response to officer feedback, the scheme before me is unacceptable for the reasons set out above. There is nothing to suggest that functional internal space could not be achieved through a more sympathetic design.

The proposed development would have a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area. In that regard, it would conflict with Policy BDP19 of the Bromsgrove District Plan (2017), which requires good design and that development enhances the character and distinctiveness of the local area. For the same reasons, it would also be inconsistent with the section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework which requires good design which adds to the quality of the area and is sympathetic to local character.

For the reasons given above and having had regard to all other matters raised, I recommend that the appeal should be dismissed.

I have considered all the submitted evidence and my representative’s report and on that basis the appeal is dismissed.