Issue - meetings

The Local Review Body then considered the final request for a review of the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the request for planning permission for the formation of garage dormer and roof lights at 21 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, AB15 4AX (P170591).

The Chairperson advised that the LRB would be addressed by Mr Andrew Miller and reminded members that Mr Miller 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 Miller 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 report of handling by Ms Sheila Robertson, Planning Technician; (2) the decision notice dated 26 July 2017; (3) plans showing the proposal; (4) links to planning policies referred to in the report of handling; (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant along with an accompanying statement and the initial planning application; and (6) one public objection.

In respect of the Review, Mr Miller advised that he had checked the submitted Notice of Review and had found it to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes. 

Mr Miller advised that the site subject to the review formed a garage at the rear of traditional granite built house on Hamilton Place that had been divided into two flats.  The garage fronts on to the lane to the rear of Hamilton Place. Mr Miller showed photos of the site.

Mr Miller explained that the application sought consent for the installation of a dormer window on the roof the existing garage. At present, the garage had roof lights. The dormer window would be PVCu framed and the dormer would have weather boarding cheeks.

He went on to advise that the appointed Planning Officer had refused the application as the proposals were contrary to policies D1 – Quality Placemaking by Design and H1 – Residential Areas: Householder Development and the Householder Supplementary Guidance on the basis that the dormer window would be an obtrusive structure on the roof of the garage due to its massing and design, and would be out of keeping with the street scene of the lane and the conservation area, therefore failing to comply with H1, D1, D4 (Historic Environment – which ensures compliance with Scottish Planning Policy /Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement).

With regards to the applicant’s statement, Mr Miller advised that the applicant’s agent had highlighted from their perspective there were many examples of flat roof extensions to the rear elevations of the lane, and they felt that this one should also be supported. Mr Miller advised that no details of precedents had been provided.

With regards to consultation responses and objections, Mr Miller advised that no consultee responses had been received and one letter of public objection. The public objection raised the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3