Agenda and minutes

The Local Review Body met this day to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the application (P131419) for planning permission for the erection of a new 3 storey dwelling house at Pinelands, Murtle Den Road, Milltimber, Aberdeen.

Councillor Milne, as Chairperson, opened the meeting with a brief outline of the business to be undertaken and a welcome to those present.  The Chairperson indicated that the Local Review Body would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mr Allan, as regards the procedure to be followed and also, thereafter, by the Senior Planner, Mr Evans, who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the case 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 applications under review and was present to provide factual information and guidance to the Body only.  He emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed applications.

The Local Review Body was then addressed by the Assistant Clerk as regards 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.

The Planning Adviser was then heard when he advised that the decision which was the subject of the review was for the erection of a new 3  storey dwellinghouse, Pinelands, Murtle Den Road, Milltimber, Aberdeen.  Mr Evans addressed the Body and explained that he had checked the submitted Notice of Review and found it to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Mr Evans explained that It was proposed to erect a detached dwellinghouse on the site, which would subdivide the existing curtilage relating to the existing dwelling ‘Pinelands’. The feu split would see two curtilages of similar size and with similar frontages to Murtle Den Road.  The dwelling would include accommodation over four levels (each being accessible by either stairs or a lift), and would feature an integral triple garage.  To the western (front) elevation, only one storey would be visible, while to the rear (eastern elevation) a full three storeys would be visible due to the change in topography.  There would also be an office and storage space within the roof space, with light gained from rooflights.

Mr Evans explained that in terms of levels, presently there was a gradual slope from the road into the site.  In order to develop the proposed house a ‘cut and fill’ exercise would be undertaken, seeing the retention of the front part of the ground on which the house would be situated, with a much lower level to the rear.  This retention would see the proposed house occupy one and a half storeys to the front and three and a half to the rear, thus being of split  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Local Review Body then considered the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse planning permission for the application (140130) for the change of use from retail (class 1) to business (class 4) and alterations to the ground floor frontage at 13-15 Chapel Street, Aberdeen.

Councillor Milne, as Chairperson, advised that the Local Review Body would be addressed by Mr Kristian Smith (Team Leader), who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the case 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.  He emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

The Planning Adviser explained that the decision which was the subject of the review was for the change of use from retail (class 1) to business (class 4) and alterations to the ground floor frontage at 13-15 Chapel Street, Aberdeen.  Mr Smith addressed the Body and explained that he had checked the submitted Notice of Review and found it to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Mr Smith explained that the applicant had asked that further procedures take place, being: additional written submissions; and a site inspection. However it was for members of the LRB to determine the requirement for further procedures, including hearing sessions, if they deem them necessary.

Any further procedures will require that the case is deferred to allow due process to take place, relative to such necessary procedures.

Mr Smith provided a brief description of the application, as follows:

Background and Existing Situation

The application relates to two ground floor shop units straddling the corner of Thistle Street and Chapel Street.  At the time of the application these units were occupied – a charity shop (Unit 13) and a clothes shop (Unit 15). 

The adjoining ground floor unit (Unit 11) serves as a reception to the three upper floors, which are in office use.  There is no planning record of a change of use having been granted from Class 2 (Financial, Professional and other services) to this use, being ancillary to the Class 4 use of the upper floors.  Such a change of use appears to have taken place within the last year or two.

The Union Street Conservation Area lies almost immediately to the south.

Proposals

Detailed planning permission is sought to change the use of both shop units from Class 1 (Retail) to Class 4 (Business), and to alter the shopfronts to remove the external access doors, introducing a continuation of adjacent stallrisers and glazing.  As a result of the alterations both units would only be accessed from within the building.

The application was supported by a supporting statement, which presented a case for granting planning permission.

Matters raised in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Local Review Body then considered the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse planning permission for the application (140090) for an 8 flatted development with associated car parking at 44 Bedford Road, Aberdeen.

Councillor Milne, as Chairperson, advised that the Local Review Body would be addressed by Ms Lucy Greene, Senior Planner who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the case under consideration this day.

The Chairperson stated 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 Body only.  He emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

The Planning Adviser explained that the decision which was the subject of the review was for an 8 flatted development with associated car parking at 44 Bedford Road, Aberdeen.  Ms Greene addressed the Body and explained that she had checked the submitted Notice of Review and found it to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Ms Greene explained that the applicant had asked that further procedures take place, being: one or more hearing sessions; and a site inspection.  However it was for members of the LRB to determine the requirement for further procedures, if they deem them necessary.

Any further procedures will require that the case is deferred to allow due process to take place, relative to such necessary procedures.

Ms Greene provided a brief description of the application, as follows:

That the application seeks detailed planning permission for the construction of a new 4-storey building within the rear garden of 44 Bedford Road, for the provision of 8 new 2-bed flats.  The building would face onto Bedford Place, with 8no car parking spaces provided beneath the building in a sub-level and private garden grounds laid out to the north-western side of the building.  The building’s walls would be finished with a combination of natural granite and wetdash-style render, with the roof finished in grey concrete roof tiles.

In terms of parking issues, the Roads Project Team of the Council had identified a shortfall of 8 car parking spaces, likely to give rise to parking in the area, where demand for residential parking was particularly high at night.  The Roads Team noted that the specifications of the access to the car park, the aisle width and parking bay dimensions did not meet the necessary standards.  They further noted that no swept-path analysis had been provided.  Further information was required in relation to drainage arrangements.  The proposed development, if granted planning permission, would be required to make financial contributions towards the Strategic Transport Fund, at a rate of £1,652 per unit, totalling £13,216.  It was explained that unless these matters were addressed, the Council’s Roads Projects Team would object to the proposal.

Ms Greene explained that no letters  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.