Agenda and minutes

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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 change of use from amenity ground to form a driveway at 6 Craighaar Gables, Aberdeen, 181329/DPP. 

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 Lynsey McBain 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 McBain, 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 Roy Brown, Planning Technician; (2) the decision notice dated 28 September 2018; (3) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning notices referred to in the delegated report; and (4) the original application form and Notice of Review with accompanying statement submitted by the applicant.

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 a 62sqm area of amenity open space to the east of 6 Craighaar Gables and west of Stoneywood Road, which was located in a residential area.  The application site forms part of the wider soft-landscaped communal amenity open space in and around the residential properties in Craighaar Gables. 

In regard to the description of proposal, Mr Evans advised that the change of use of the site from amenity open space to residential curtilage and the hard surfacing of the area to form a double driveway which would facilitate two parked cars and would be accessed via Stoneywood Road to the east.

In relation to the Appointed Officer’s reasons for refusal, Mr Evans intimated that it made reference to the following factors:-

·         Loss of communal open space which contributes to the character of the area;

·         Resultant conflict with policies H1 (Residential Areas) and D1 (Quality Placemaking by Design) and the associated ‘Householder Development Guide’ and Transport and Accessibility SG documents;

·         Potential for increased rate of surface water run-off due to the non-porous nature of the hard surface, potentially increasing flood risk outwith the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Local Review Body then considered the second request for a review to evaluate the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the application for the demolition of a steading and erection of 2 storey dwelling house with terrace, at Denhead, Skene Road Aberdeen, 181539.

Councillor Boulton as Chairperson gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken and advised that Mr Gavin Evans 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 again addressed by Mrs McBain, 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 Gavin Clark, Senior Planner; (2) the decision notice dated 1 November 2018; (3) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning notices referred to in the delegated report; and (4) the original application form and Notice of Review with accompanying statement submitted by the applicant.

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 related to an area of ground in the rear garden of the house known as Denhead at Kingswells.  The site lay approximately 1m below the level of the access road and sloped down slightly from west to east.  The west building line abuts a grass verge alongside the public road.  Beyond the north boundary sat a 1 ½ storey dwelling that had an east-west aspect with a driveway lying between the application site and the southern gable end of the neighbouring dwelling.

In regard to the description of proposal, Mr Evans advised that planning permission was sought for the demolition of the existing steading building and the erection of a 1 ½ storey detached dwellinghouse which would be located out with the current footprint of the steading and would be 6.7m back from the public road.  The dwellinghouse would include timber windows, a slate roof and blockwork walls rendered in off-white dry dash render.  The porch would also be finished in stone reclaimed from the steading.

In relation to the Appointed Officer’s reasons for refusal, Mr Evans intimated that it made reference to the following factors:-

-          Approval would undermine the principles of controlling development in Green Belt areas and lead to the erosion of such areas, adversely affecting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.