• Welcome to the LOSRA Website

    Welcome to the LOSRA Website

    The Lower Sunbury Residents' Association Read More
  • Become a Member

    Become a Member

    We invite anybody interested in the issues facing Lower Sunbury to subscribe Read More
  • View Our Newletters

    View Our Newletters

    You can find all the recent LOSRA Newsletter available to download Read More
  • LOSRA's Aims

    LOSRA's Aims

    To optimise and enhance the quality of life for Lower Sunbury residents by all appropriate means Read More
  • Sunbury As It Was

    Sunbury As It Was

    Visit the LOSRA Gallery for images past and Present Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Monday, 18 October 2021 09:02

Proposed Development of Phase 2, Benwell House Refused by Planning Committee

Rate this item
(1 Vote)

Despite the officer's recommendation to approve this plan, the Planning Committee on 13th October voted against the construction of the 5 storey block of 39 flats as the Second phase of the Benwell House development in Green Street, pictured. (Artist impressions are always designed to look seductive!)

It was a close run thing with the vote: 6 in favour and 7 against. In addition to two well-organised and professional local residents, the Vice-chairman of this Association and Cllr. Kathy Grant (in whose ward the site is situated) also spoke against the application.

The reasons for refusal which have now been published on the Council website are summarised below:

1. The proposed development, by reason of its height, bulk and close proximity to the boundary with the residential properties in Meadows End and Dunnell Close, would result in an unacceptable, overbearing effect and lead to overlooking and loss of privacy to these residential properties, detrimental
to their amenity and contrary to Policy EN1(b) of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD, February 2009, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.

2. The proposed development will lead to an unacceptable loss of trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order, which make an important contribution to the urban environment and the landscape quality of the site and surrounding area, contrary to Policies EN1(d), EN7 and EN8(c) of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD, February 2009, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.

3. The proposed development by reason of its height, bulk and scale, would result in an unacceptable development which would fail to respect and make a positive contribution to the street scene and character of the area, contrary to Policy EN1(a) of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD, February
2009, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.

It's important to state that, at no time, was there an objection to some form of development taking place on this site. Our objections, as described above, would have been made clear from the outset had there been any meaningful public engagement from the outset - a requirement specified by the National Planning Policy Framework.

1 comment

  • Comment Link ALex Write Friday, 05 November 2021 11:21 posted by ALex Write

    If public engagement was desired, why did no one from LOSRA attend the two days of public consultation which, according to the design and access statement uploaded to the councils planning site, happened on two days between 17th and 18th May 2019? These public consultations are the ideal time to have a discussion with the developers and design team. How are we supposed to house our most in need when misinformation is spread on public platforms such as this?

Leave a comment

Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.

Subscribe for 2024

Sunbury Ferry

Join Our Mailing List

Latest Local News

29 March 2024