Flats plan for detached house is approved

But anti-social worries aired

AN APPLICATION for a two-storey extension to a Loughborough detached house, to be split into two separate flats, each with two bedrooms, has been passed by councillors.

The application for 59 Ashleigh Drive, by Messrs Rafaelle Russo and France, was discussed by Charnwood Borough councillors at the latest planning committee meeting which was held online virtually.

Local borough councillor, Coun Margaret Smidowicz had objected to the application and had asked for it to be discussed by the committee.

In a report to the council she highlighted concerns over a history of anti-social behaviour on the road, which leads into the university and also referred to a previous application in 2019 to convert the property to five apartments, which had been rejected by a Government inspector.

The Nanpantan Ward Residents’ Group also objected to the proposal saying if it was permitted there would be 60 students living within 100m of the site.

Residents in Ashleigh Drive and Mountfields Drive also highlighted concerns including noise, ant-social behaviour, the number of rental properties in the street and development not in keeping with the street.

Darren Ridley, planning agent, speaking for the applicants told the meeting that he wanted to highlight that proposal was not for a house of multiple occupation.

Referring himself to the previously rejected appeal for the five flats in October last year, Mr Ridley said that the inspector at that time: “Found that there was no harm in terms of local parking arrangements, including highway safety.

“The council’s environmental health team had reported no anti-social behaviour complaints in the streets surrounding the property over the preceding 12 months.”

He added that the inspector had not said a lesser scheme would be unacceptable saying “We now have a reduced scheme of only two flats.”

Coun Smidowicz speaking at the meeting said that the council had a duty to protect people from crime and disorder and stated: “The police commander has also confirmed the extent of the crime and disorder that has significantly increased over the past few years on Ashleigh Drive.”

Members of the council’s committee heard that whether the proposed development was occupied by students or not, was not a planning factor that could be taken into account with the decision on the application.

The application passed with a vote of nine for and four against.