Agenda and minutes

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

The Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met on this day to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the application for the formation of a dormer to the rear at 28 St John’s Terrace Aberdeen. 

Councillor Boulton as Chair, gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken, advising that the LRB would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Lynsey McBain with regards to 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 following 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.  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 in regard to the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to more general aspects relating to the procedure.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by the Appointed Officer, Aberdeen City Council; (2) an application dated 29 September 2020; (3) the decision notice dated 26 January 2021; (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. 

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 then described the site advising that the site was located on the north western side of St John’s Terrace, a slip road running parallel with North Deeside Road, at its junction with Springfield Road, and is occupied by a two storey plus attic, substantial detached granite dwelling. The dwelling has a single storey extension along the width of the rear elevation and conservatory, thereafter, located centrally. The attic has three skylights located on the rear roof elevation and one to the front. A single, rendered garage is located within the rear granite rubble boundary wall and is accessed from an unnamed lane and a large garden extends from the rear of the dwelling. The surrounding area is characterised by residential dwellings; traditional dormer bungalows are located either side of the property.

In terms of the proposal, detailed planning permission was sought for the formation of a dormer to the rear at 28 St John’s Terrace Aberdeen.

In relation to planning history, Mr Evans noted that planning permission was approved in December 2020 for the erection of dormers to the rear. This application was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Local Review Body then considered the second request submitted which was for the non determination of the application from the planning service. 

The Chairperson advised that the LRB would again be addressed by Mr 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 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.

Mr Evans advised that in relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by the Appointed Officer, produced following the request; (2) an application dated 3 November 2020; (3); (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.

Mr Evans then described the site advising that the application site was for the erection of a detached house (change of house type of plot 2 of approved planning application 170395.  The 1.3 hectare site related to the former agricultural land located in open countryside to the south of Blackburn, close to the city boundary.  It was historically used as a poultry unit but such agricultural use had long ceased.  There were a number of sporadic established tress on the site and it was accessed via a narrow farm track which joined the public road to the east of the site. 

In regards to the proposal, Mr Evans explained that planning permission was sought to redevelop the site to erect a detached mainstream house.  The existing farm access track from the public road would be used.  Plot two was proposed at the western end of the site and its garden ground would be defined by post and wire fencing.  The house would be 4 bedrooms with an attached garage and it would be of 2 storeys, with the upper floor contained with the roofspace.  The roofs would be pitched at 45 degrees and clad with slate with Velux rooflights.  Walls would be finished with a mix of smooth render and larch cladding and ancillary surface car parking would be within the plot.  The site plan indicated that foul drainage would be via a private system (septic tank).  Mr Evans explained that in effect the permission sought to vary the previously consented house design by creation of additional floorspace at ground level ( i.e. a 24 square metre extension to the communal living area). The south elevation of the extension would be substantially glazed.

Mr Evans indicated that the report produced indicated that the Appointed Officer’s decision would have been that the application be approved conditionally and the reasons were as follows:-

·       Notwithstanding the conflict with Green Belt (NE2) and Transport policies (T2 and T3) in the Aberdeen Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2017 (ALDP), given the previous approval and the minor nature of the changes,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.