Issue - meetings

With reference to its meeting of 5 February 2020, the Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council reconvened at the Town House following a site visit to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the request for the erection of a single storey extension to the rear with terrace above and external access stairs at 20 Kirk Crescent South, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 190691/DPP.

Councillor Stewart, as Chairperson, advised that the procedures previously outlined by the Clerk at the meeting of 5 February 2020 would apply and indicated that the LRB would be addressed by Ms Aoife Murphy, who was acting as Planning Adviser to the LRB in the case under consideration.  The Chairperson reiterated that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority, she 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.

Ms Murphy then described the site advising that it was a one-and-a-half storey detached dwelling with a western facing principal elevation.  The property had an integrated single garage covered within the 1989 grant of planning permission and there was a large rear garden to the east of the property.

She indicated that the site was bounded to the north by 5 Kirk Drive, a two-storey dwelling with its principal elevation to the north and its garden area to the west rather that the rear of the dwelling.  In terms of characterisation, no one style or form of dwelling was prevalent in the area and there had been extensions to dwellings in the area, and principally these were to the rear and typically single-storey.  Ms Murphy also explained that the site was located in a Residential Area in the Local Development Plan 2017.

Ms Murphy then outlined the applicant’s proposal making reference to the history of the site and outlined the appointed Officer’s reasons for refusal as follows:-

·         The proposed development by reason of its composition, form, mass, scale and height would harm the character of the original dwelling and would dominate the form of the host dwelling and would constitute over development;

·         The proposed roof top terrace would adversely affect the living conditions of neighbouring residents with regard to privacy and overlooking adjacent private amenity space which were contrary to policies D1 and H1; and

·         There were no material planning considerations of sufficient weight that would warrant approval of the application. 

In relation to the appellants case, Ms Murphy highlighted the following:-

(1)  The property had not been extended or altered for 30 years;

(2)  The proposal allowed for the formation of a modern living/kitchen/dining area, as well as allowing for a bedroom to be located on the ground floor, offering greater accessibility in the future;

(3)  Highlighted the presence of high fencing and hedging/landscaping which almost  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1

 The Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met on this day 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 erection of a single storey extension to the rear with terrace above and external access stairs at 20 Kirk Crescent South, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 190691/DPP.

Councillor Stewart as Chair, gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken, advising that the LRB would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Lynsey McBain with regards to 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 cases under consideration this day.

The Chairperson stated 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 Body 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 McBain, Assistant Clerk in regard to the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to more general aspects relating to the procedure.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by Ross McMahon, Planner; (2) the application dated 24 April 2019; (3) the decision notice dated 11 October 2019; (4) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning policies referred to in the delegated report; (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant’s agent along with an accompanying statement with further information relating to the application; and (6) letters of representation.

The LRB was then addressed by Mr Evans who advised that the review had been submitted with all necessary information within the time limit of three months following the decision of the appointed officer.

Mr Evans then described the site advising that it was a one-and-a-half storey detached dwelling with a western facing principal elevation.  The property had an integrated single garage covered within the 1989 grant of planning permission and there was a large rear garden to the east of the property.

He indicated that the site was bounded to the north by 5 Kirk Drive, a two-storey dwelling with its principal elevation to the north and its garden area to the west rather that the rear of the dwelling.  In terms of characterisation, no one style or form of dwelling was prevalent in the area and there had been extensions to dwellings in the area, and principally these were to the rear and typically single-storey.  Mr Evans also explained that the site was located in a Residential Area in the Local Development Plan 2017.

Mr Evans then outlined the applicant’s proposal making reference to the history of the site and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1