After controversial plans to build six homes in Combe Down were refused last year, a scheme from the same developer to build two houses has been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee.
Members of the committee had rejected a scheme last November to knock down 54 and 56 Stonehouse Lane and build six new houses.
They had gone against the recommendation to approve two four-bed homes and four five-bed properties with a total of nine parking spaces.
Thirty residents had objected to the plans, saying the proposed development by Continental Trade (Bath) Ltd was too big for the plot.
Committee member Councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown, Liberal Democrat) said at the time: “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.”
The plans were refused by eight votes to one. The council’s decision notice said the scheme would look “uncharacteristically cramped” and 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.
Continental Trade (Bath) Ltd has since lodged an appeal, and a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will be deciding in due course whether to back or overturn the council’s decision.
The developer’s new scheme that came before the planning committee on Wednesday 18th March was for two four-bed detached houses on the site of the bungalow at No. 54, with two car parking spaces and space to store cycles.
The council received five letters of support and 14 of objection. Those against cited concerns which included overdevelopment, the scale and height of the proposed two-storey houses being out of keeping and that it would lead to on-street parking.
The scheme was recommended for approval by officers but was called in to be determined by the planning committee.
Ward councillor Onkar Saini (Combe Down, Liberal Democrat) told the committee that the development would be out of keeping with the surrounding area where there is more generous spacing between properties.
He said the development would erode the openness of the street scene and voiced concern about there being just one parking space for a four-bed house, and about the access.
However, the scheme was unanimously approved by the committee.
