Cumberland Road flats plan rejected
BOROUGH council planning members rejected an application for seven flats in Cumberland Road, Loughborough because their design was deemed out of character for the area and that they would have a negative impact on the community.
The application by Andrew Philpott was to build a three storey block of seven one bedroom apartments on the corner of Cumberland Road and Fearon Street.
The initial application in 2016 was to build nine flats, however following recommendations from the council it was decided to reduce the number to seven.
The apartments were objected to by Coun Sandy Forrest, members of the public, members of SARG (Storer and Ashby Ward Residents Group) and Haydon Road Resi- dents’ Association.
Speaking in objection to the application at the meeting on Thursday, January 12, ward councillor, Sandy Forrest said that the application was “out of character with the conservation area” and that the design of the flats would “detract greatly from the Grade II listed buildings” close by.
At the meeting, applicant Andrew Philpott said that the flats were the result of five years of design work, and working with the council, and said that he hoped that councillors would see that it was a great opportunity for “contemporary” housing for students, post-graduate students and lecturers.
Coun Brenda Seaton described the design as “incongruous” and said: “I love the contemporary style, but this design is doing nothing for me. I don’t like it and won’t support the recommendations.”
Coun David Snartt said: “It’s not the best design and I do struggle to be able to support this.”
Coun Hilary Fryer said that she felt the flats would be perfect for young professionals and said: “We are not here to conserve what we have” and said that the council should be “looking to the future.”
Six councillors voted against reccomendations made by Charnwood Borough Council planning officers to approve the flats, while three voted in favour of the flats, which lead to the application being refused.
The full reasons for the application being refused included that they would be out of keeping with the street scene, that they would fail to “preserve or enhance the character” of the Ashby Road Conservation Area, that if built there would a loss of light to the property next door at 5 Cumberland Road, and that there wasn’t enough space for waste bins in the application.