Application to replace house wins approval
A TERRACED house in Brynmenyn is to be demolished and a detached home built in its place in an unusual application given approval by the local authority.
The end-of-terrace property, which is set slightly back from the building line and has a different appearance to other houses in the row, will now be knocked down, with a new twostorey house being built on the site.
Bridgend County Borough Council’s development control committee approved the application at a meeting, but the plans did raise eyebrows, with Councillor John-Paul Blundell saying it was fascinating that if your nextdoor neighbour decided to demolish their home there was nothing you could do about it.
The council’s group manager for planning and development Jonathan Parsons said it was rare to see an application involving the demolition of a terraced house with a detached one taking its place, but it was permitted.
He said: “This situation very rarely comes up.
“However, it’s quite common when you have outbuildings adjacent to each other for one householder to demolish their outhouse but the other one maintain it.
“It’s actually not beyond the realms of possibility that someone could build a house alongside you if you live in a semidetached property and it becomes a terrace.”
He told councillors there was legislation such as The Party Wall Act which would ensure the rights of those living next door.
The applicant, David Williams, whose brother is BCBC’s deputy leader Hywel Williams, sits on Ogmore Valley Community Council.
A new two-storey house will now be built on the 200 sq m site at a different angle – it will include three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor and a hallway, lounge, living room, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor.
It will be finished with painted concrete cream render elevations with a black slate roof.
Four objections to the plans in Williams Terrace were received from people living nearby, with concerns about the stability of the land if the house was demolished and the potential exposure of the gable end of the adjacent terraced property. In a report which went before councillors, officers noted the property had a large outdoor amenity space compared to other homes in the area.
Officers recommended the plans for approval and councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans at a meeting on Thursday, October 24.