Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be viewed here.

At the commencement of the meeting, Councillor Boulton reminded all those in attendance that Councillor Jennifer Stewart would be chairing the first review, however she advised members that Councillor Stewart was running late due to circumstances out with her control, therefore she suggested that items 3.1 (9 Belvidere Crescent) and 4.1 (108 Crown Street) could be considered prior to item 2.1 (108A North Deeside Road).

The Local Review Body resolved:-

to agree to the suggestion.

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 formation of a dormer to the rear of the property at 9 Belvidere Crescent, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 190339/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, 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.

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 Mr Masson, 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 Sheila Robertson, Planning Technician; (2) the decision notice dated 2 May 2019; (3) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning notices referred to in the delegated report; and (4) the application and Notice of Review 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 and there were no new matters, which were not before the appointed officer at the time of the original decision, have been raised in the review submission.

Mr Evans also indicated that in terms of the procedure by which the review will be conducted, the applicant had requested that a site visit be undertaken.

Mr Evans then outlined the application site advising that the property was located on the west side of Belvidere Crescent, which itself joins Rosemount Place and Craigie Loanings.   The site comprised an upper flat within a 2-storey detached granite building, the door for which was located down the side of the building. Number 9 extended to the first floor and attic.

The site was located within an area zoned as residential within the Aberdeen City Local Development Plan, where policy H1 applies and was also within the Rosemount & Westburn Conservation Area.

Mr Evans intimated that permission was previously granted in January 2015, prior to the adoption of the current Aberdeen Local Development Plan for the formation of a box dormer to the rear which appeared to be identical to the current proposal.

He explained that the Appointed Officer’s reasons for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

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 formation of a dormer window to the front of the property at 108 Crown Street, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 181426/DPP.

The Chairperson advised that the LRB would again be addressed by Mr Gavin Evans and reminded Members that although Mr Evans 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.  She emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by Jane Forbes, Planner; (2) the application dated 9 August 2018; (3) the decision notice dated 2 May 2019 (4) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning policies referred to in the delegated report;  and (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant along with an accompanying statement with further information relating to the application.

The LRB was then addressed by Mr Evans who advised that the review had been submitted with all necessary information within the time limit of three months following the decision of the appointed officer.

Mr Evans indicated that the applicant had indicated on the Notice of Review that no new matters, which were not before the appointed officer at the time of the original decision, had been raised in the review submission.

In terms of the procedure by which the review would be conducted, the applicant had stated satisfaction that the review may proceed to conclusion without further procedure being required (e.g. site visit, hearing etc).

Mr Evans proceeded by describing the site advising that it was located on the west side of Crown Street, between its junction with Dee Place and Academy Street.   The site comprised a category B listed, 2½ storey mid-terrace property with basement, as well as garden to the rear.  The site was located in an area zoned as residential within the Aberdeen City Local Development Plan, where policy H1 applies. In addition to residential properties, there were also hotels, guest houses, offices and shops. The property was situated within the Bon-Accord Crescent and Crown Street Conservation Area.

Mr Evans outlined the planning history of the property.

In terms of the Appointed Officer’s reasons for refusal, Mr Evans made reference to the following factors included within the Decision Notice:-

·         Acknowledged that the proposal largely accorded with Policy H1 (Residential Areas) of the Aberdeen City Local Development Plan, nevertheless considered that it would result in a negative visual impact arising from the introduction of a new dormer on a prominent roof slope, which would affect the roof symmetry and cause a degree of imbalance, causing the roof to appear overcrowded;

·         Failed to comply with Historic Environment Scotland’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

At this juncture, Councillor Boulton left the meeting and therefore took no part in the consideration of this item.

Councillor Jennifer Stewart assumed the chair.

The Local Review Body then considered the third 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 erection of a 1.5 storey extension to the front of the property at 108A North Deeside Road, Planning Reference 190441/DPP.

The Chairperson advised that the LRB would again be addressed by Mr Gavin Evans and reminded Members that although Mr Evans 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.  She emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by Roy Brown, Planning Trainee; (2) the application dated 15 March 2019; (3) the decision notice dated 4 June 2019 (4) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning policies referred to in the delegated report; (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant along with an accompanying statement with further information relating to the application; and (6) consultee responses from the Community Council and the Roads Development Management Team and also two letters of representation from neighbouring properties.

The LRB was then addressed by Mr Evans who advised that the review had been submitted with all necessary information within the time limit of three months following the decision of the appointed officer.

Mr Evans outlined the application site advising that the property was located in the residential suburb of Peterculter, to the west of Aberdeen. It sat on the northern side of North Deeside Road, opposite its junction with Station Road East and immediately adjacent to Eastleigh Nursing Home. Number 108A sat back from other properties on North Deeside Road, at the very north-western corner of the plot that was shared with 108. The 1.5 storey detached granite dwelling was of a traditional style but had been extended via the addition of two flat-roofed garages to the southern gable. A roof terrace area had been formed above one of those garages, accessible via a door from a first floor bedroom.

Mr Evans indicated that the application site was located within a designated ‘residential area’ in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

In terms of Planning history for the property, Mr Evans revealed that an application had been submitted in June 2018 and subsequently withdrawn prior to determination. Planning permission had been refused in January 2019 for the same extension, with the difference being that this application had shown the two existing garages to the south of the dwelling being removed, such that the cumulative floorspace would be less than considered in the previous application.

Mr Evans explained that planning permission was now sought for a large 1.5 storey extension, projecting from the front/east elevation of the house. This pitched roof extension would project more than 8  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.