A FATHER’S plans to build flats for his children on the site of garages in Mangotsfield have been approved, despite objections that they would overlook neighbours’ homes.
Three garages behind a row of houses in St James Street will be knocked down and replaced with two one-bedroom flats under the plans submitted by Alan Britton.
Councillors on South Gloucestershire Council’s development management committee heard from Staple Hill & Mangotsfield councillor and council co-leader Ian Boulton, who referred it to them for a decision on February 15.
He said: “Concerns were raised about the cramped site, overdevelopment, and nearby properties fear they will be overlooked. They feel that the parking is insufficient, and we would like some reassurance that this doesn’t contravene the council’s policy.”
Neighbour John Sutton said: “It’s ill conceived, it’s too big, it would overlook my property, and it’s totally the wrong site.
“There would be no space to park and it would create a lack of privacy. This area was once just back gardens.”
Mr Britton said it would be a “family development”.
He said: “All the parking spaces comply with the guidelines set out, and in fact I would say they are slightly bigger than what is necessary.
“I’m not Wimpey or Bovis Homes, this is a family development so I can maybe get my children onto the property market. We’re not here to make money, it’s just something we’re hoping to do to benefit our children.
“The three garages are used at the moment by three different people. The actual traffic movement will be reduced, rather than increased.”
Members of the committee voted to grant permission by seven votes to two.
Hanham ward councillor June Bamford said: “I think it would be a great improvement. If the site is in such a mess with rats and goodness knows what, this can only be an improvement. You do expect a degree of overlooking, we are in a semi-urban area.”
By Alex Seabrook,
Local Democracy Reporting Service