Back in April, I blogged about a planning application for 4 flats for 30 Wyvern Road. I referred this application on a number of grounds, mainly inadequate amenity space for potential occupiers, out of character grounds and because it would adversely impact neighbouring properties.
Additionally, Wyvern Road has a number of traffic issues and there are live investigations into planning breaches on this street already, causing deep distress to local residents.
I am pleased to say that Council officers have refused this application on the following grounds:
- A cluttered site layout detrimental to the visual amenity of the street scene and overall character of the area
- No private amenity space for two of the flats and a shortage of storage space in all units, poor quality access to the communal amenity space and the absence of step-free access around the site
- Inadequate information about flood risk mitigation or sustainable drainage features
The officer report can be found here and a copy of the refusal letter here.
Whilst I am delighted that this application has been refused, I am disappointed by the officer’s dismissal of what I see as valid grounds of objection. The officer has commented that parking stress would not be ‘significantly increased’ had the application had received approval. The report also said that flats are generally not out of character with this street.
With Wyvern Road having suffered from lots of overdevelopment as a result of the actions of the previous Labour administration, I am also concerned that the officer has not included cumulative impact as one of the grounds for dismissal. I recently raised this issue with the Corporate Director for Sustainable Communities and urged him to ensure cumulative impact is fully taken into account for any Purley & Woodcote application.
Cllr Samir Dwesar
