New homes are planned above garages in Dorset Road, Belmont, following a decision by Sutton Council's Planning Committee.
The committee approved a proposal to erect a first-floor extension with accommodation in the roof space above existing garages, creating six self-contained residential units. The development will also include private amenity spaces, refuse and cycle stores, and parking at the front.
The application, which received over 10 letters of objection, was referred to the planning committee due to concerns about parking pressure, design, neighbour amenity, and highway safety. The primary reasons cited in the objections included an increase in parking pressure, traffic, and noise, potential conflicts with parking from The Avenue School, overdevelopment, loss of green space, inappropriate materials, lack of amenity space, and poor design quality. Concerns were also raised about disturbance from construction works, overlooking, loss of privacy, impact on outlook, reduction in daylight to garages, and impact on trees and bats.
However, officers recommended the proposal for approval, citing that the development would enable the delivery of new homes in a suitable location. They also stated that the proposal would respect the local context and not result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the site or surrounding area. The development was also deemed not to harm the amenity of neighbouring properties or future occupiers, and would provide a satisfactory level of accommodation.
The development will provide a total of six two-bedroom apartments located at first-floor level with accommodation at second-floor level within the roof space. Each unit will have private outdoor space, and the proposed properties are considered suitable for family housing. None of the existing garage spaces will be removed or replaced; they will remain in place with the development built above and will continue to be owned by the existing leaseholders. The permitted use of the garages is for private motor vehicles only.
Concerns regarding the impact on trees and biodiversity were addressed. The proposal includes enhancements to the existing landscape on site, with all existing trees to be retained. Existing green space on site will also be retained, and additional planting will be included where car parking is modified. Green roofing is proposed for the cycle and bin stores, and private amenity spaces will be enhanced with planting boxes to promote biodiversity. A preliminary ecological appraisal and bat emergence survey were submitted, and recommendations for sensitive lighting and the installation of integrated bat boxes in each building have been made and can be conditioned.
The Highways Engineer raised no objections, stating that the proposed parking provision, layout, and impact on highway safety were acceptable. The Sustainability Officer also found the proposal acceptable, subject to conditions.
The decision to grant planning permission was made, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement. The development must be begun no later than three years from the date of the decision. The Section 106 agreement's obligations include paying a Monitoring Fee for the proposed retention of trees and grassland and securing any significant on-site habitat gains. This fee is estimated at £3,850, index-linked to when the pre-commencement Biodiversity Gain Plan/Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan condition is discharged, plus administrative costs. The CIL obligations will be utilized to cover these monitoring reviews.
