Marlene Hendy Support Statement

Statement in support of Application for Planning Approval in Principle

Former Kitchen Garden, 4 Summerland Ramsey

1. SITE – site is located on an ‘Island’ bordered by Summerland Road to the South - a cul de sac serving the houses on Summerland; to the West, a minor access road, linking Parsonage road with Summerland; and Parsonage Road to the North. The Eastern boundary of the site adjoins the former kitchen garden of 3 Summerland which now contains a garage accessed from Parsonage Road and a hard standing for vehicles etc.. accessed from Summerland.

The site was extremely neglected and overgrown when the present owners purchased the land in 1997, with a dangerous, derelict greenhouse and old, rotten fruit trees. It has since been cleared and the land levelled and turfed to enhance the appearance and use of this garden.

APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT – the site is situated within a residential area and in addition to the houses in Summerland itself, which comprise three pairs of Victorian semi-detached properties, plus one detached property; within the immediate area are the above-mentioned nine flats (3-4 years old), together with the Local Authority housing known as Mayfield flats (approx 50 years old). The viability of developing the has been discussed with the Development Control Officer and has been explored by the Applicant in relation to local needs and demands. The intention would be to provide modern housing, at an appropriate density and which responds to the Victorian architecture of the Summerland properties, serving to enhance the streetscape in the area.

1. ACCESS - Having spoken to Mr Derek Sewell of the DOT, when we discussed the options available; without committing the Department, he indicated that a shared access for two properties, taken from the minor access road, may well be a viable option and considered worthy of support. Such a proposal may be subject to a 20mph residential neighbourhood condition being required by his Department and the reduction in height of the existing high, red brick, garden wall which borders the Parsonage Road side of the site. This would undoubtedly substantially improve visibility at the existing junction of the access road with Parsonage Road.

1. COVENANTS – I am aware that covenants on land are a legal, not a planning matter, but within the title documents to the property there is contained a covenant (1860’s) relating to the orientation (facing South) of any property which might at some time be erected on the kitchen garden. The proposed orientation, E/W, and suggested fenestration substantially reduces potential overlooking which N/S orientation may introduce.

1. OVERLOOKING – by orientating any dwelling on the site in an East/West direction and minimising the number of windows in the gable walls as mentioned above, there will be an opportunity to avoid any direct front to front/front to back overlooking from window to window, between existing and proposed properties. Furthermore, a modest development which reflects a suitable and sympathetic style and appropriate materials to blend in with the existing Summerland houses, would serve to act as a buffer against the overpowering visual impact which is presented by the Four-Storey Parsonage Road flats. The intention would be for any development to contribute in a positive manner to the quality of housing in the locality and to provide further, much needed, housing within the Town of Ramsey.

1. Finally, I am also aware that a recent decision in P A 04/02353A, in the nearby May Hill area, Planning Approval in Principle for the construction of four dwellings with integral double garage for each unit; the Independent Person advised (inter alia) as follows:-

• ‘In terms of the principle of housing development on the land, I concur with the Planning Committee that there is logic in attempting to use suitable remaining urban land rather than continue to expand into the rural areas.’
• The Independent Person also supported the Principle of developing the site with housing.

1. I accordingly submit that the Principle of development of the site for a pair of semi-detached houses as stated above, is worthy of support and request that the Committee grant such approval as applied for.

Marlene M. Hendy

Applicant

Dated 22nd day of December 2005