Controversial plans for houses in garden refused

Development described as ‘garden-grabbing plan’ amid protests

A PROPOSAL to subdivide a house and garden into three plots has been thrown out following several resident objections and claims of ‘garden grabbing.’

Members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council planning applications committee have refused the development at Cheddleton Road in Leek.

The outline planning application involved details of access for two newbuild dwellings on part of a garden at Greywoods.

A report to the planning committee by case officer Chris Johnston, said: “This is an outline application for the subdivision of the whole site into three residential plots with the existing house retained, and two new houses built in the other two rectangular plots which would be to the rear of the current house and to the south side.

“The application form states that one of the dwellings would be a three-bed dwelling with the other ‘four-bed plus.’

“There would be six parking spaces in total to serve the three dwellings. Drainage would be via mains sewer (for foul drainage) and soakaways for surface water.”

Twenty-eight letters of objection were received, eleven which were received in response to the consultation on the amended plans in mid-december 2020.

The main planning related points raised included:

▶ Inadequate parking and turning areas, lack of garages and accesses close together will cause road congestion

▶ Hedges and trees not taken into account

▶ Orientation of the dwelling at side not in keeping with area

▶ Over-development and over-cramped form harming the spacious character of the area

▶ Building sizes and proportions not in keeping with surrounding buildings

▶ Loss of privacy particularly affecting the neighbouring dwelling to the east of the site.

Leek Town Council strongly objected on the grounds that the scale of the development was overbearing for the plot size and would ruin the appearance and character of Greywoods.

The town council also stated that it was out of character for the area; traffic concerns regarding access, as Birchall Lane is very narrow and it would impact on neighbouring properties.

Speaking to the planning committee, county, district and town councillor, Mike Worthington, said: “Residents and Leek Town Council have explained why this should be refused.

“It is a garden grabbing plan. There are no pavements in Birchall Lane. The planning officer said it would not impact on the area, I find this shocking. It will affect the street scene.

“It is inappropriate development and will affect nearby dwellings.”

The planning committee voted unanimously to refuse the application.