‘Unattractive and obtrusive’ Solihull Council planners reject house extension plan
The proposed extension to the property in Farnworth Grove, Castle Bromwich(Image: My Arch1tect Ltd/Solihull Council)
Solihull planners have thrown out a revised house extension plan described as “unattractive” and “obtrusive”.
Last summer Solihull Council planners gave the green light for a first floor side extension and two storey rear extension at a property in Farnworth Grove, Castle Bromwich.
In February applicant Mohammed Bilal returned to the authority with a revised scheme – a part two storey, part single storey side and rear extensions, single storey front extension and loft conversion with rear dormer.
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But in a public consultation there were eight objections – six from neighbours, one from Castle Bromwich Parish Council and one from ward councillor Alan Feeney who called the application into the authority’s planning committee for a decision.
The parish council’s comment submitted to the authority said: “This planning application represents over-development of the area with little thought given to the parking or supporting infrastructure.
“This will look out-of-place and is not in-keeping with the street scene.”
Residents’ objections also included concerns about a loss of light, loss of privacy, and the extension being “large/bulky and obtrusive”.
At the committee’s latest meeting planning officer Jon Hallam told the committee officers recommended the scheme be approved, subject to conditions.
But during the debate of members Coun Dave Pinwell said: “I believe the addition of the dormer here makes a significant difference.
“My view is that if Pablo Picasso had got into roof design, this is what we might have ended up with.
“The architect is clearly an advocate of cubism, we have little roofs everywhere here – that to my mind makes the thing quite unattractive.”
He said properties in Bradford Road overlooking the garden at the rear were nearer to the property.
The property proposed for an extension in Farnworth Grove, Castle Bromwich(Image: Google Maps)
“There is no question they would have to look at that if they look out of their rear windows,” the councillor said.
“That is not good quality design and it is not consistent with conserving and enhancing the local character.
“I think you get the message, I don’t like it.”
Coun Bob Grinsell, chairman of the committee, said those comments had changed his mind completely on how he was planning to vote.
When he moved to the vote seven committee members voted against, with just one in favour and one abstention.
The authority’s planning policy says proposed schemes have to be “high-quality” and well-integrated with surrounding properties and members voted the formal reason for refusal was the extension would go against that.
The decision was taken at the last meeting of the committee held at the Civic Suite on April 30.