Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=284&MId=3928&Ver=4

The Local Review Body of Aberdeen City Council met this day to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse two requests for planning permission.

Councillor Milne, as Chairperson, gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken.  He indicated that the Local Review Body would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mr Mark Masson, as regards the procedure to be followed and also, thereafter, by Mr Tommy Hart, 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 Local Review Body was then addressed by Mr Masson 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.

Mr Hart explained that the application which was the subject of the review was for the change of use from office accommodation at ground floor level within 19/21 Inverurie Road to form a 1 bed flatted property and the change of use from office accommodation at 1^st floor level within 23/25 Inverurie Road to form a 2 bed flatted property.  The erection of a 1^st floor extension to the previously approved single storey rear extension at 19/21 Inverurie Road, to provide additional floorspace to the two 1^st floor flatted properties.  The proposal would include opening up the existing ground floor window to the front of the property and introduce a new door opening and window layout (Planning Reference 150240).  Mr Hart advised that these properties formed part of the City Council’s Bucksburn office.

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

In relation to documents which the members of the Local Review Body should consider, Mr Williamson outlined that all of the following documents were accessible via web links and available as set out in the papers:-

Development Plan – Aberdeen Local Development Plan (2012); D1 (Architecture and Placemaking) – new development must be designed with due consideration for its context and make a positive contribution to its setting; D2 (Design and Amenity) – in order to ensure the provision of appropriate levels of amenity, the following principles would be applied:- (a) privacy shall be designed into higher density housing; (b) residential development shall have a public face to a street and a private face to an enclosed garden or street; (c) all residents shall have access to sitting-out areas; and (d) individual flats or houses shall be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Local Review Body then considered the second request for a review.  The Chairperson advised that the LRB would now be addressed by Mr Gavin Evans and reminded members that Mr Evans 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 Evans would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

Mr Evans explained that the application which was the subject of the review was for the formation of roof lights to front elevation, and formation of dormer window to rear elevation of 37 Carlton Place.  Mr Evans 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 the site related to a traditional two storey, terraced granite dwelling located within the Albyn Place/Rubislaw Conservation Area.  The surrounding area was characterised by residential dwellings of a similar design.  The application property contains uPVC tilt and turn windows.  The roof space as viewed from the rear lane at the ‘odd’ numbered side of Carlton Place was characterised by traditional piended style dormer windows and undeveloped shallow pitched roof.

Mr Evans explained that planning permission was sought for the installation of two conservation style roof lights to the front elevation and the formation of a flatted roofed dormer window to the rear elevation.  The conservation roof lights each measure 98cm in length by 55cm in width.  An initial dormer window design measured 7m in length and 2m in height with glazed windows positioned at each end and a slanted solid panel finished with natural slate tiles connecting them.  This was since amended to measure 5.85m in length by 1.85m in height with windows located at each end and a slanted solid panel between them.  The uPVC windows located at first floor level on the rear elevation and the front bay window would be replaced with traditional timber sash and case windows, painted white.

In relation to documents which the members of the Body should consider, Mr Evans 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) – in principle, residential development would be acceptable in residential areas if :- (a) it did not constitute over development; (b) it did not have an unacceptable impact on the character or amenity of the surrounding area; and (c) it complies with Supplementary Guidance relating to the Householder Development; and D1 (Architecture and Placemaking) – to ensure high standards of design, new developments must be designed with due consideration for context and make a positive contribution to its setting.

In relation to the proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan, the following policies substantively reiterate policies in the adopted local development plan:- Residential Areas (H1) and Quality Placemaking by Design (D1).

National Policy and Guidance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.