Agenda and minutes

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With reference to its meeting of 5 December 2018, 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 replacement of a roller shutter access gate retrospectively at 85 Blenheim Place Aberdeen, 181008/DPP.

Councillor Boulton, as Chairperson, advised that the procedures previously outlined by the Clerk at the meeting of 5 December 2018 would apply and indicated that the LRB would be addressed by Mr Gavin Evans, who acted 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, 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.

Mr Evans then described the site advising that the site comprised an end-terrace 2-storey traditional granite property on the western side of Blenheim Place, just south of Desswood Place. The building incorporated both numbers 85 and 87 Blenheim Place, with a circa 30m long garden to the rear. The rear garden was enclosed by a boundary wall, however the boundary with the rear lane was defined by an existing double garage, the roller shutter that is subject of this application and a timber pass gate.  Mr Evans also advised that the site lies within the Albyn Place/Rubislaw Conservation Area.

Mr Evans explained that planning permission was sought retrospectively for the installation of a roller shutter gate opening onto the rear lane. The gate was finished in black coated steel with its housing finished in a black painted timber. The shutter and its housing box protrude above the level of the adjoining boundary wall, with the housing box visible in views on approach along the lane from either direction.

In terms of the appointed officer’s reasons for refusal, Mr Evans made reference to the following factors in the decision notice:-

·         The size, design and materials fail to enhance or preserve the character of the Conservation Area;

·         The proposal would not accord with HESPS, SPP, or policy D4 (Historic Environment) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan;

·         The proposal (by virtue of its size, design and materials) would have an unacceptable impact on both character and amenity of the surrounding area

·         It would not accord with policy D1 (Quality Placemaking by Design) and H1 (Residential Areas) of the ALDP.

·         Lastly, that approval would create an undesirable precedent for similar proposals, cumulatively resulting in erosion of the traditional character of the CA.

In relation to the appellant’s case, Mr Evans highlighted the following from the Review statement:-

-          The previous roller gate was replaced with a shutter-type because the earlier gate was causing structural damage to the garage and boundary wall;

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