Bid to add Stafford open space to house’s garden rejected
A householder's bid to add an area of green space outside his home to his garden has been thrown out by Stafford councillors.
The proposals to make the strip of land, next to a property in Prospect Road, Stafford, into a domestic garden area had been recommended for approval by Stafford Borough Council’s planning officers.
The applicant also sought permission to build a side and rear two-storey extension and single-storey kitchen extension, as well as installing a new boundary fence with gates and a driveway.
But on Wednesday, members of Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee voted to refuse permission because of concerns that enclosing the strip of land, which measures 9.6m wide and 23.7m long, would affect the open nature of the housing estate’s landscape.
A report to the committee said: “It would appear that it is incidental open space following the construction of the Coton Fields housing development. The land is currently in the ownership of Stafford and Rural Homes Housing Association (SARH), who are the social housing landlords for the area.
“The applicant has confirmed that SARH are willing to sell the land. The applicant also states that the land has in the past been used for anti-social behaviour and illegal parking, which appears to be confirmed by a neighbour.
“In these circumstances, there is no indication that the land is designated as, or provides any significant function as, public open space or community use.”
View
Councillor Jack Kemp, who represents the Coton ward, called in the application for consideration by the planning committee because of concerns it would lead to over-intensification of the site and the enclosure of public open space.
He said: “All the other gardens are open. When people stand out in their front gardens they are looking at an open vista.
“This application will take away the view that this group of houses has enjoyed for almost 40 years. The council left that plot of land in order that the people in those houses had the view towards the allotments.
“They could have put a house on it, but the council decided not to. It is an important visual place for that area. Allowing this will change that side of Prospect Road and will make it quite unique in appearance.”
Committee member Councillor Marnie Phillips said she was “becoming increasingly concerned about this infilling” of small open spaces.
She added: “We are seeing more and more applications for these small sections of open space coming in before us for places like Holmcroft.
“I think it is a disgrace, there is no consideration for residents in the area and how it is going to affect them. It’s not in keeping with the street scene.”
Councillor Michael Dodson said: “I do not believe it is an incidental piece of land. It appears to me this is a design to maintain openness in a built-up estate.”
Councillor Tony Pearce said: “Having seen the importance of public open space to the properties it would look very hemmed in if this house put fences in. It would completely change the character of it.”
