Detached office building with rooms in roof space and reformation of car parking, Oakley House, 1 Hungerford Road, Edgerton
Planning Application 2020/91253
Detached office building with rooms in roof space and reformation of car parking, Oakley House, 1 Hungerford Road, Edgerton
Although this is a revision of plans submitted in 2017, the last of which was approved, HCS has serious concerns regarding this development particularly in respect of the density and area allocated for parking and the impact on the mature trees, which form a critical feature within the conservation area and are important visually and environmentally along the Halifax Road corridor.
Again, HCS directs attention to the Council’s own appraisal of Edgerton CA which states: ‘The character of the area is partly established by the pattern of past development, which generally consists of substantial houses in large plots. Previously, substantial infilling has been permitted but this has damaged the character of the Conservation Area because of the increased density of built form, loss of trees and breaching of boundary walls. It is therefore recommended that in future new development within the designated area should be kept to a minimum and the following policy is included in the LDF.’
‘Policy: The Council will resist proposals that would result in the over development of plots and loss of gardens to the detriment of the character of the conservation area.’
It is also noted that if the policy was included in the LDF this would have been after the earlier planning applications had been submitted, and any decision regarding this application should consider the implications of over development and loss of green space.
As with the recent application for major extensions at 4 Kaffir Road, this proposal creates a worrying precedent with car parking pushed close to the trees, increasing the danger of root damage. Should removal of trees then be required, creating a much more open aspect to Halifax and Hungerford Road, this would be contrary to the policy for protection of green space and mature trees.
In addition, the planning authority must consider this in context to other large properties now adapted for office use, rather than the residential use for which they were designed. The erosion of Edgerton’s unique character could be dramatically affected if similar schemes were put forward for consideration. Approval of this development would make other applications difficult to refuse.
If the LPA is minded to approve this application it is requested that all issues covered by the aboricultural report be followed to the letter and that the applicant commits to a monitoring and reporting regime on the trees, with substantive restitution in the event of tree loss, perhaps as a S106 condition?
Please note: it appears the 2020 tree survey and tree removal requests are as written in 2017, but it looks as if the various trees approved for removal in 2017 have in fact been felled – indeed, very recently – and the replacement areas left unkempt with sycamores and laurels now growing
The society’s comments focus on the above issues rather than the new building which it considers to be well designed.