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=3997&Ver=4

The documents associated with this application can be viewed at –

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=150141

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 Gavin 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 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 Evans explained that the application which was the subject of the review was to erect an extension to the front (southern elevation) of the existing garage at 21A Farburn Terrace, Dyce, to create additional workshop space for vehicle servicing, etc.  The extension would be 14.6m wide, 4.9m high and 8.5m deep, providing a further 136m² of floor space.  To the west, it would extend 3.4m past the current building line and a slightly smaller projection of 1.2m from the east.  The principal elevation would feature two electronically operated garage doors, which open onto the existing yard, of 4m and 3m wide respectively, and a staff access door.  The extension would see composite cladding on a steel frame, roofed with insulated panels.

Mr Evans 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 Evans 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 - H2 – Mixed Use Areas - Development or change of use within Mixed Use Areas must take into account the existing uses and character of the surrounding area, and avoid undue conflict with the adjacent land uses and amenity.  Where new industrial, business or commercial uses are permitted, development should not adversely affect the amenity of people living and working in the area; D1 – Architecture and Placemaking - Policy D1 states that development must be designed with due consideration for its context and make a positive contribution to its setting.  Key factors in assessing proposals are siting, scale, massing, colour, materials, orientation, and details; H8  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The documents associated with this application can be viewed at –

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=141735

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 Clark and reminded members that Mr Clark 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 Clark would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

Mr Clark explained that the application which was the subject of the review was for the demolition of an existing dwelling/garage and the erection of two dwellings (sub-division of residential curtilage).  Mr Clark explained that he had checked the submitted Notice of Review and found it to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Mr Clark explained that the site was located on the north side of Culter House Road, approximately 50m to the east of the junction with Robertson Place and comprises a 2-storey dwellinghouse set in a site of around 0.3ha in size, with the house being positioned towards the front of the plot on a similar building line to 8a Culterhouse Road to the east.  The application plot rises up slightly from the road towards the rear boundary where there is currently a tennis court set in the extensive landscaped garden with the existing house sitting around 1.5m above road level.  To the west, the house at 36 Culterhouse Road sits slightly further back into that plot and with a south-west orientation.  To the east of the site, the houses (no’s 8a, 8b and 8c) are laid out in a cul-de-sac arrangement, whereas the houses to the west are generally set towards the back of the plots with substantial front gardens.  On the south side of the road, the pattern of development is significantly different, with detached houses being set in smaller plots unlike a suburban housing estate.  In terms of style and size of property, this varies throughout the immediate area.  To the immediate north of the site lies a large area of mature forest.  To the east (abutting the application site) the trees are covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO No. 62).  Along the frontage of the site there is a row of mature landscaping (hedge and trees) which continues along the east and west boundaries.  There are also a number of trees within the application site.

Mr Clark explained that planning permission was sought for the construction of two detached 2-storey 5-bedroom houses.  Each plot would comprise an area of around 0.15ha in size.

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; Policy H1 – Residential Areas - Proposals for new residential development will be favourably considered subject to applications being satisfactory in terms of the siting, design and external appearance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.