A BUNGALOW and garage in Staple Hill will be demolished and replaced with four new terraced houses, despite neighbours’ fears they will make “appalling” parking problems even worse.
South Gloucestershire Council’s development management committee approved the plans unanimously after being told the concerns were unfounded and that the new buildings in Teewell Avenue would be more in keeping with the area than the existing property.
Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council and eight residents, backed by ward councillor and council co-leader Ian Boulton, objected to the plans.
They said the proposals amounted to overdevelopment that would have a negative impact on local infrastructure.
The objectors said the extra two-storey homes, which will each have two bedrooms, would cause traffic problems, exacerbate on-street parking issues, lead to overlooking of nearby homes, block sunlight and were out of character for the area.
Two residents wrote in support of the plans by SDE Bristol, saying the bungalow currently standing on the site was “horrible” and had concrete cancer. They said new homes were needed.
Principal planning officer David Stockdale told the committee on August 29 that the parking situation was acceptable.
He said: “There is an argument that the proposed terrace is actually more in keeping with the area than the bungalow that’s there at the moment.
“Officers consider these to be good plans and a good use of land.
“It meets all our policy requirements – it provides sufficient amenity space and parking, it doesn’t cause an impact on neighbours in terms of overlooking and it fits in neatly with the streetscene.”
Mr Stockdale’s report to councillors said there was enough distance to neighbouring properties to protect against “any significantly harmful loss of privacy or overbearing impact”.
It said a condition would be put in place to restrict permitted development rights so that the owners could not build an extension or dormer windows without applying for planning consent.
The report said: “The objections from local residents relating to existing parking problems on Teewell Avenue are noted.
“However, adopted policy does not require the consideration of the loss of on-street parking: it cannot therefore form a valid reason for refusal.
“The proposed new vehicle access to the front of the dwellings would not result in any obstruction to traffic flow along this part of Teewell Avenue.
“Overall, the proposal would not cause any severe highway safety or transportation impact and is therefore acceptable.”
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service