Agenda item

The Local Review Body considered the request for a review for the proposed house alterations and extension to form an annex accommodation at Invercraig, Skene Road Aberdeen, 180980.

The Chairperson advised that the LRB would 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, Planning Technician; (2) the application dated 14 June 2018; (3) the decision notice dated 5 February 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 agent 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 within the Notice of Review, new matters were raised, which were not before the appointed officer at the time of the original decision.  This new information related to the size of the original house, and the applicant indicated that this information was not available at the time of the appointed officer’s determination.  The LRB agreed unanimously not to accept this additional information as it was historic information and could have been readily available to give to the original appointed officer.

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.

In terms of consultee responses, Mr Evans advised that the flooding team had requested further information.

Mr Evans indicated that the applicant had expressed the view that a site visit was required before determination.

At this point, the LRB considered whether they had sufficient information before them to proceed to determine the review.  Councillor McKenzie stated that she wished a site visit be held prior to determining the review.  The Local Review Body then agreed that the review under consideration should be adjourned in order for a site visit to be conducted in due course.