Green light for summerhouse despite two letters objecting

PLANS for a garden summerhouse at a property have been approved.

Staffordshire Moorland District Council’s planning applications committee gave approval for the retrospective application for the garden summerhouse at 7 Oakamoor Road at their last meeting.

A report to councillors said: “The existing summerhouse structure and raised outdoor deck, together with the proposed works to complete the structure (e.g. addition of French doors and windows) would not harm the character and appearance of the area and more crucially, would not significantly harm the residential amenities of neighbouring properties by way of causing overlooking and loss of privacy or by being visually intrusive when viewed from those properties.”

Two letters of objection were received. The first letter said that the building and deck did not accord with the regulations relating to outbuildings and decks in rear gardens, the permitted development rights, due to the height, siting and size. The letter then stated that due to the height of the structure and deck, together with the raised ground levels, considered to be about two feet above his own garden, the structure would allow overlooking into the rear windows of the objectors house leading to a loss of privacy.

The second letter outlined concerns that external lighting will be attached to the structure which will affect the two bedrooms at the objectors property which are both at the rear of the house. Concerns are also raised that the outbuilding will be used as a “party house” leading to noise and disturbance.

Councillors voted 10 in favour of approval with one abstention.