Issue - meetings

The Local Review Body then considered the second request for a review.  The Chairperson advised that the LRB would now be addressed by Mr Nicholas Lawrence and reminded members that Mr Lawrence had not been involved in any way with the consideration or determination of the application under review and was present to provide factual information and guidance to the Body only.  Mr Lawrence would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

In relation to the application, the Local Review Body had before it (1) a delegated report by Ms Hannah Readman, Planning Officer, dated 18 December 2015; (2) the decision notice dated 18 December 2015; (3) plans showing the proposal; (4) planning policies referred to in the delegated report; (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant’s agent along with an accompanying statement; and (6) a representation received in respect of the proposal.

With regards to the site, the delegated report advised that the application related to a single storey building located on the south side of Seaforth Road, at its junction with Urquhart Lane to the east. The building was currently vacant but had most recently been used as a storage shed for a plumbing business. The surrounding area was designated for residential use within the Local Development Plan.

The report advised that the planning application sought permission for the redevelopment of the site with a block containing eight, 2 bedroom flats set over 4 floors. The building would measure approximately 15.8m in width, 12.4m in depth and 11.5m in height. It would be of a modern design, with a flat roof and ‘juliet’ balconies to all windows on the first to third floors. Finishes would include a dark grey membrane roof, grey synthetic granite to the ground floor, smooth white render to the middle floors, grey zinc effect cladding panels to the top floor and all windows would be grey uPVC framed. A boundary wall, to be finished with a smooth white render and a concrete cope stone, pillars to a height of 2.3m and the connecting wall of 0.9m with atop 0.9m black mild steel railings. Also proposed were: 8 cycle lockers, 11 car parking spaces, 1 motor cycle parking space and a communal bin store located to the east of the site off Urquhart Lane.

In relation to planning policies which the Members of the Local Review Body should consider, the delegated report outlined that all the following documents were accessible via web links, and available as set out in the papers:-

Development Plan – Aberdeen Local Development Plan (2012):

H1 - Residential Areas

Within existing residential area, proposals for new residential development will be approved in principle if it:

1. Does not constitute over development;
2. Does not have an adverse impact on the character or amenity of the surrounding area;
3. Does not result in the loss of valuable and valued areas of open space.

H5 – Affordable Housing

Housing developments of five units or more are required  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2

The Local Review Body then considered the second request for a review.  The Chairperson advised that the LRB would now be addressed by Mr Robert Forbes and reminded members that Mr Forbes had not been involved in any way with the consideration or determination of the application under review and was present to provide factual information and guidance to the Body only.  Mr Forbes would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

Mr Forbes explained that the application which was the subject of the review was for the formation proposed conversion and extension of the former Police Station at Midstocket Road to form a one, two bedroom dwellinghouse.  Mr Forbes explained that he had checked the submitted Notice of Review and found it to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes. 

Mr Forbes explained that the site referred to comprised a single storey flat roofed building covering 51 square metres, which was formerly used as a Police Station.  The existing walls were of granite block construction, with white Upvc windows, and cast iron rainwater goods (painted grey).  The property was located within the Rosemount Conservation Area towards the eastern end of Midstocket Road, near its junctions with Beechgrove Terrace, Argyll Place, Craigie Loanings, and Rosemount Place. In respect of neighbouring property, there was a small area of unused ground to the east, with 1 ½ storey properties beyond containing a mix of retail and residential flats.  To the south was a bank at ground floor level, with two storeys of residential accommodation above.  To the west was the four storey flatted development of Midstocket Mews, while to the north were the rear gardens and garages associated with Argyll Place.

Mr Forbes explained that planning permission was sought for the change of use of this former Police Station to form a two bedroomed residential unit.  The submitted plans showed the premise would comprise a living room, bathroom, and a kitchen at ground floor level, with two bedrooms (covering approximately 28 square metres) at first floor level, leading out onto a small roof terrace. As an amendment to the previously approved developments, the accommodation at first floor level would now be enclosed by a hipped slated roof covering the majority of the current roof area, apart from the roof terrace of approximately 8.3 square metres at the western end towards Midstocket Mews.

The proposal would also include a total of 3 conservation style rooflights, 2 of which would be located on the south facing roof plane, and 1 to the east facing roof plane.  The new gable to the roof terrace would be clad with vertical timber linings, and would also include a white Upvc door.

The submitted plans also showed a further external change which would see the cill level of the windows at the frontage to Midstocket Road dropped.  To the north elevation, the level of the windows would also be dropped to accommodate the additional accommodation at first floor level.  On the west elevation,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2