At the end of July 2015 I submitted my response to the appeal against the Vale’s refusal of this application.
Applicant wants to subdivide his property, creating a separate dwelling place out of an existing extension.
Officers felt it was contrary to policies about subdividing a property (this would be a very narrow property), and that the dwelling was of poor quality; lacking light, for example, due to no windows in lounge. (I don’t see any windows in bedrooms either, but maybe I’m not reading the drawing correctly.) Applicant admits in the Statement that ceilings aren’t up to regulation heights.
You can see the applicant’s Full Statement about the appeal on this page: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=FolderView&ID=472317474&CODE=B079644ADDECCBDDD1482CA87CF7AD89&NAME=Appeal&REF=P15/V0098/FUL
Here’s what I said to the inspector:
92 Arthray road Appeal 31 Jul 15
I write in support of the LPA’s decision to refuse this application. Essentially, the plan is to subdivide the house and turn the 20 year old extension, which has been used as a garage, into a separate dwelling.
H14 requires adequate living, parking and amenity space. These plans do not conform. By applicant’s own admission the ceiling height doesn’t meet minimum housing standards. Lack of windows and inadequate parking/bins/cycle space contribute to a cumulative effect of a cramped, dark space. Considering that the UK is already are known for having the smallest dwellings in Europe, that this fails to meet even that tiny minimum is a clear reason for refusal.
DC1 expects a high quality design and a fit with local distinctiveness. In this instance, the plan to convert the garage doesn’t show an intention to high quality and indeed fails to achieve it. The plot width is narrow, unlike other plot widths in the areas. Applicant argues you cant tell this from an extension. Exactly. This is the size and layout of an extension, not a separate dwelling. Wouldn’t this effectively turn the main house into a terraced dwelling?
Vale of White Horse did the right thing when it refused permission for this shed with a bed.