Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports 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 erection of a single storey extension to the front at 11 Marchburn Road Aberdeen, 201620/DPP. 

Councillor Stewart 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 Ms Lucy Greene 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, she 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 Mr 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) the original application form; (3) the decision notice dated 18 March 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 Ms Greene 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.

Ms Greene then described the site advising that the application site comprised a 1½ storey detached pink granite dwelling dating from the early twentieth century and its associated front and rear curtilage in a residential area in Bieldside. The application site was bounded by an access path and the Deeside Way to the south; 9 Marchbank Road to the east; 13 Marchbank Road to the west; and Marchbank Road to the north.   The dwelling had a south facing principal elevation orientated towards the Deeside Way and the original dwelling was cross gabled in form and had a gable on the principal elevation. The principal elevation had an existing single storey porch / conservatory to its front (south) and single storey extensions to its rear (north) and side (east).

In terms of the proposal, Ms Greene explained that planning permission was sought for the erection of a single storey extension to the principal elevation of the dwelling.   The extension would be contemporary in its design and would have an asymmetric gable roof with a maximum height of c.3.9m and eaves heights of c.2.6m and c.3.1m. It would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The LRB 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 timber decking with external steps to the rear – retrospectively, at 27 Birkhall Place Aberdeen, 201317/DPP. 

The Chairperson advised that Ms Lucy Greene would again be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the following case under consideration this day and reiterated that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority, she 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 the Appointed Officer, Aberdeen City Council; (2) an application dated 28 October 2020; (3) the decision notice dated 28 January 2021; (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’s agent; and (6) comments received from representations. 

The LRB was then addressed by Ms Greene 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.

Ms Greene then described the site advising that the site is the residential curtilage of a two storey mid-terraced dwellinghouse on the southern side of Birkhall Place in Mastrick. The rear curtilage comprised a split-level decking and artificial grass area with an outbuilding (not requiring planning permission in itself as it constitutes Permitted Development) at the far end. Decking nearest to the rear of the dwellinghouse is set c. 1.6m above ground level whilst the largest decking area comprising the artificial grass is set 435mm above ground level, the outbuilding is set at ground level. Side garden boundaries are treated by c 1.6m high timber fencing set at ground level, although the highest part of the decking nearest the house includes additional 930mm high fencing above its 1.6m deck level.   In terms of the wider site context, the application site and wider terrace it sits within, is located perpendicular to the rear of properties on Upper Mastrick Way to the west and Cairnwell Drive to the east.   Subsequently, the rear gardens of three residential streets (including Birkhall Place) converge, and views from the application property and rear garden area look out over a number of properties on different streets to varying degrees.

In terms of the proposed application, Ms Greene explained that retrospective planning consent was sought for the erection of raised timber decking in the rear garden area with associated steps and 0.93m high fencing above deck level along both side boundaries. The decking sits c. 1.6m above ground level and at c.5.8m, spans nearly the full width of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.