Issue - meetings

The Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met at the Town House to review 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 a driveway at 16 Don Terrace, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 180912).  The LRB had deferred consideration of the above application in order to receive further written representations from the appellant as to why an additional matter raised in the Notice of Review had not been highlighted at the time of considering the application being reviewed.  The written representation from the applicant was included in the documentation before Members, and advised that the medical condition raised in the Notice of Review had not been diagnosed at the time of the application being considered by the appointed officer.

Councillor Boulton as Chairperson then gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken.  She indicated that the LRB would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Stephanie Dunsmuir as regards the procedure to be followed and also, thereafter, by Mr Gavin Evans who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the case under consideration.

The Chairperson highlighted that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority, he 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 LRB only.  She emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

The Local Review Body was then addressed by Mrs Dunsmuir, Assistant Clerk regarding the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to certain more general aspects relating to the procedure.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by Ms Sheila Robertson, Planning Technician; (2) the decision notice dated 13 August 2018; (3) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning notices referred to in the delegated report; (4) a letter of representation; and (5) the application and Notice of Review submitted by the applicant along with an accompanying statement with further information relating to the application.

The LRB was then addressed by Mr Evans who advised that the submitted Notice of Review was found to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Mr Evans explained that the application site was located on the southern side of Don Terrace, and was occupied by a detached 1½  storey granite building of a traditional style.  The house was elevated approximately 1.1 metres above street level.  The garden ground sat at the same level as the house, and was retained by a granite boundary wall to the street frontage which was 1 metre to 1.3 metres high), was topped with metal railings and had a gate.  Mr Evans noted that there were single yellow line parking restrictions to both sides of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1

The Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met at the Town House to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the request for planning permission for the extension of the yard area, including all associated engineering and landscaping works at Unit 1, Stoneywood Park, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 180989.

Councillor Boulton as Chairperson gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken.  She indicated that the LRB would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Stephanie Dunsmuir as regards the procedure to be followed and also, thereafter, by Mr Gavin Evans who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the case under consideration.

The Chairperson highlighted that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority, he 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 LRB only.  She emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

The Local Review Body was then addressed by Mrs Dunsmuir, Assistant Clerk regarding the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to certain more general aspects relating to the procedure.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by Mr Matthew Easton, Senior Planner; (2) the decision notice dated 25 July 2018; (3) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning notices referred to in the delegated report; (4) letters of representation; and (5) the application and Notice of Review submitted by the applicant along with an accompanying statement with further information relating to the application.

The LRB was then addressed by Mr Evans who advised that the submitted Notice of Review was found to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Mr Evans explained that the application site formed part of a wider woodland belt which separated Stoneywood Park Industrial Estate from the residential development to the south.  The area in question measured approximately 75m wide (road frontage to Cedar Avenue) and 35m deep (distance back from road to boundary of industrial uses).  The site sat immediately south of (and adjoining) the Marwood Group premises, which comprised a single storey warehouse and storage yard, with a narrower planting belt dog-leg around the western edge of the Marwood site.

Mr Evans advised that on the opposite side of Cedar Avenue were residential dwellings within the former Stoneywood Estate development, with two residential properties that immediately abutted the western edge of the site (328 Stoneywood Road and a recently approved and constructed house).  The woodland belt was zoned as part of the wider H1 Residential Area.

In respect of planning history, Mr Evans explained that an early application for a larger area of yard with a much thinner landscaping strip to the road frontage at Cedar Avenue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1