Plans to knock down a Bath bungalow and replace it with two new homes have got the green light, despite a local councillor’s warning of “massive overdevelopment”.
Redeveloping the site of the bungalow on Whiteway Road on the edge of the city and building two semi-detached three-bedroom homes was a personal project for applicant Holly Wilding and her husband Oliver, who owns a design and build company, she told councillors on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee on Wednesday 10th April.
She said: “This is very much a personal enterprise between ourselves. We are a young family. We have two young children – three and ten months – and we are looking to hopefully make a positive investment here but also a family home for ourselves.”
She added: “With Oliver’s background he will build these homes to a high standard which in our view will positively contribute to the area.”
The homes will get all their energy from renewables, including solar panels and ground source heat pumps, and six new trees will be planted.
Planning officers added that the design would also be an improvement on the current bungalow and recommended the plans be approved.
But neighbour Matthew Turner warned it would be “overbearing” on his garden, and leave his office in shadow.
He added: “When viewed from opposite, it’s just going to appear massive and out of context with the neighbouring properties. It’s very large.”
Local councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown, Liberal Democrats), who sits on the planning committee, warned the planned houses were “not a suitable replacement” for the bungalow.
He said: “This is not a suitable replacement. It is massive overdevelopment of a small site on what is an extremely busy road.
He added: “Over the 30 years I’ve been a councillor here it got more and more busy.”
But Tim Warren (Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative) said: “I think what here is proposed is an improvement to what’s already there in quite a few ways: it’s eco-friendly, you’ve got an extra house.”
Eleanor Jackson (Westfield, Labour) added that there was “what looks like a historic cock and hen wall across the front of the property”. Planning officers said it had been recognised this was an important feature to keep.
Councillors voted to grant planning permission, subject to a condition to ensure that future boundary walls at the front remain in keeping with the historic walls along the street.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
