Approval in principle for the conversion of existing dwelling into three self contained apartments

Why Was This Refused?

• ✓Third floor is roofspace with only rooflights — not suitable for residential conversion
• ✓Three-apartment scheme contrary to Planning Circular 2/88 (Conversion of Buildings into Flats)
• ✓Nearby garage accepted as providing four car parking spaces for the development
• ✓Officer noted a two-apartment conversion may be acceptable
• ✓Decision made by Planning Committee, aligned with officer recommendation to refuse
• ✓conversion of the third floor into a self-contained apartment would be contrary to the provisions of Planning Circular 2/88 - The Conversion of Buildings into Flats

The proposal was to convert an existing dwelling on Bowring Road into three self-contained apartments, one per floor. The ground floor had previously been a shop and had recently received approval for change of use to an office. Car parking was a consideration: the applicant owns a nearby garage shown to accommodate four spaces, which the officer accepted as legitimate parking provision for the development. The decisive issue was the third floor. The officer concluded that, based on survey drawings and site knowledge, the third-floor roofspace — served only by rooflights — was not capable of being converted into acceptable living accommodation. This made the three-apartment scheme contrary to Planning Circular 2/88 on the conversion of buildings into flats.

The application was refused because the third floor is essentially roofspace with only rooflights and is not suitable for conversion into a self-contained apartment, contrary to Planning Circular 2/88. The officer and committee both considered that a two-apartment scheme, omitting the third-floor unit, could potentially be acceptable.

Policies Assessed (1)

Planning History (1)

Documents (27)