Plans to build house on garage site rejected
Plans to build a new home on the site of a communal garage block have been rejected by councillors after concerns were raised the development would make parking problems nearby even worse.
Cannock Chase Council received 20 objections to the proposals for a three-bedroom detached house on land on the corner of Flaxley Road and Davy Place in Rugeley.
Objectors said that Davy Place was already congested and the removal of the garage block would make existing parking issues on the Pear Tree Estate even worse.
The garage site is privately owned and Cannock Chase Council’s planning officers recommended the application for approval.
John Heminsley, who spoke in support of the plans, said: “It is a brownfield site appropriate for development of one detached dwelling. The house would be of a high standard and improve the street scene when compared with the garages.
“Since the estate was built in the 1950s many residents have created off street parking spaces. Demand for off street garages has declined in recent years.
“The applicant is not obliged to carry on providing lock up garages and the council itself has redeveloped lock up garage sites to provide additional housing.”
But planning committee members went against the recommendation and voted to refuse permission at a meeting on Wednesday. They were concerned the new property would have an overbearing effect on a neighbouring house.
Hagley ward councillor Christine Martin, who spoke against the application at Wednesday’s meeting, said: “This development will take away a minimum of six parking spaces neighbours already use. I can’t see how this isn’t detrimental to the area.
“Emergency vehicles will have great difficulty going into Davy Place, as will bin lorries. They already have problems getting in.
"The occupants of (the neighbouring Flaxley Road house) have lived there for over 40 years and there are solar panels on their roof. This proposed development is only two metres away. I’m asking you to think about these people and the effect it will have on them if they have lived in the same house for over 40 years and then they have this monstrosity outside their door every time they open it.”
Committee member Councillor Andrea Muckley raised concerns about the impact of the new property on the solar panels of the neighbouring house.
Councillor Alan Dudson, who represents the area on Staffordshire County Council, said: “It’s already a congested area but county highways don’t seem to understand. I think it’s overbuilding and I shall be voting against it.”
