PLANS by a county councillor to build an extension to their property have been refused on grounds it is “disproportionate” and harmful to the Green Belt.
Buckinghamshire Councillor Luisa Sullivan had her request for a single-storey rear extension and rooflight in Slough Road, Iver Heath, rejected by her colleagues who found her proposal to be “in excess”.
Committee members were recommended by the planning officer to refuse permission for Cllr Sullivan’s application ahead of a South Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee, on Tuesday, September 29.
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The Conservative sought permission for a single-storey, flat-roofed rear extension with a “roof lantern” – and a new rooflight at the back of the existing property, which is among “a row of semi-detached cottages”.
However, Cllr Sullivan’s proposal is “over half that” of the current property and is therefore deemed “in excess” of what is permitted under the Local Plan.
A previous application for a similar structure had been accepted, but this new plan would be “an increase in scale, particularly in width, and differently orientated”.
It is therefore considered a “disproportionate addition”, according to council documents.
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Cllr Sullivan’s proposal also received two objection letters, citing loss of privacy, an overbearing and poor design, and impact on the Green Belt.
There is also “allegations the architect is related to a member of staff”.
Of these, the planning officer refuted Cllr Sullivan’s proposal is overbearing – however its size is considered “harmful to the Green Belt”.
A spokesperson, arguing in favour of the application, said Cllr Sullivan is also “concerned” the current property “does not allow for self-isolating, should one of the family members fall ill [with Covid]”.
At close of business, Cllr Santokh Chhokar urged the committee to accept the planning officer’s recommendation for refusal, which members voted in the majority to support.
Got a council story? Get in touch rory.butler@newsquest.co.uk
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