Agenda and minutes

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

With reference to its meeting of 29 May 2019, 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 proposed house alterations and extension to form an annex accommodation at Invercraig, Skene Road Aberdeen, 180980.

Councillor Boulton, as Chairperson, advised that the procedures previously outlined by the Clerk at the meeting of 29 May 2019 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 application site was located on the southern side of Skene Road, approximately 150m east of the A944/Land Stracht roundabout junction, and was one of 6 properties served by a short curve of service road. The generous plot extends to approximately 2100sqm, and featured mature trees along its southern and eastern boundaries.

Mr Evans advised that Invercraig, which was the easternmost of those 6 south-facing plots, was a detached granite dwelling of a traditional style, incorporating bay windows, dormer windows and a slated roof with clay ridge tiles.  It was noted that this property was not representative of the others in this group, which were mid-20^th century bungalow style dwellings.   Invercraig presented a 1.5 storey face to the service road, but due to the ground level dropping away to the north, also included a basement level. The western gable features a lean-to style extension which wraps around the North West corner of the building and onto the rear elevation at basement level. A pitched roof double garage was constructed off the eastern gable, constructed in granite and slate. The property had an open southern aspect, looking out across the neighbouring farmland.

Mr Evans explained that the proposal was for detailed planning permission for the erection of two separate 2-storey extensions (one to side, one to rear) and the enlargement of an existing rear dormer windows.  The extension off the western gable would form annex accommodation.  Mr Evans highlighted this would involve excavation to reduce the existing ground level to allow for a full 2-storeys, one of which would be equivalent to the basement level of the existing house.

In regards to the appointed officer’s reason for refusal, Mr Evans advised that the reasons made reference to the following:-

·         The location of the site within the designated green belt was highlighted, and reference was made to policy NE2 and its tests for new development;

·         The scale and massing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.