An appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State after Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee rejected a scheme to knock down 54 and 56 Stonehouse Lane in Combe Down and build six new houses.
Meanwhile another scheme by the same applicant, Continental Trade (Bath) Ltd, to demolish No. 54 and build two houses on the site will be decided by members of the committee at their meeting on Wednesday, 18th March.
Last November councillors had gone against the against the advice of a planning officer who had recommended giving the go-ahead for six houses.
Two four-bed homes were planned, with the others being five-bed. A total of nine parking spaces were proposed.
Thirty residents had objected, saying the proposed development was too big for the plot.
At the time, committee member Councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown, Liberal Democrat) said: “I don’t think I have seen such a poorly designed scheme in years on this committee.
“It’s not the fault of the architect; it’s the fault of the person who’s briefing the architect who’s quite simply trying to cram as much housing as he or she can on to a site.”
He had moved a motion to refuse the scheme and eight members of the committee agreed, with one against.
The council’s decision notice said the scheme was rejected as it would look “uncharacteristically cramped”. Also, given its layout, height, scale, design and massing, it would not have acceptable levels of privacy, outlook and natural light for neighbouring occupiers, nor give future occupiers adequate private outside amenity space.
The scheme coming before the committee on 18th March is to build two four-bed houses on the site of the bungalow at No. 54. A total of two car parking spaces world be provided along with storage for cycles.
It is being recommended for approval by planning officers, but has been called in to be determined by the planning committee.
