Welsh Government Planning Inspectors Overturn Blaenau Gwent Council’s Decision on Ebbw Vale Garage Extension

THE decision by Blaenau Gwent planners to refuse a planning application for a front and rear garage extension in Ebbw Vale has been overturned by Welsh Government planning inspectors.
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Planning committee on Tuesday, April 23 councillors were told of the appeal outcome for the scheme at 35 Pant Y Fforest, Ebbw Vale.
The application submittted by Peter Robinson last November had been refused by Blaenau Gwent planning officers under delegated powers on January 12.
He then lodged an appeal against the decision to PEDW (Planning and Environment Decision Wales) and councillors were surprised at how quick the appeal had been processed.
Planning officer Sophie Godfrey told councillors that council refused the application: “on the grounds that the proposed front extension element by virtue of its scale, design and relationship to the existing house would unduly dominate the principal elevation of the dwelling.”
“The proposal would result in a detrimental visual impact on the host dwelling and was considered to be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the existing property and street scene.”
But planning inspector Paul Selby who visited the site in March disagreed, and in his report said that that there is “no consistency of design” in nearby residential properties.
Mr Selby said: “The dwelling’s siting at a terminus of the cul-de-sac and the ample separation distance between the front extension and front property boundary would ensure that the projecting garage would not appear as a prominent feature of the street scene.”
He added that it did not “appear at odds” with the character of the cul-de-sac.
Mr Selby said: “I conclude that the scheme would not harm the area’s character and appearance and would accord with the objectives of Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan policies to avoid unacceptable adverse visual impacts on townscapes and ensure that extensions to buildings reflect, complement or enhance the form, siting, materials, architectural details and character of the original building, its curtilage and the wider area.”
Cllr Wayne Hodgins said: “It’s only taken 12 weeks for PEDW to come back normally it takes up to 12 months – I just wonder if it’s a typo.”
Committee chairwoman, Cllr Lisa Winnett said: “I’m quite surprised at how quick that one was.”
Planning officer Helen Hinton said: “Many years ago the planning inspectorate introduced a streamline service for householder applications.”
She explained that “in theory” as this type of application is less contentious and should be decided quicker.
The committee noted the report. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​