Weston-super-Mare
Civic Society
2020 Submissions
2020 Submissions
The first submission was an objection against the application for the erection of boundary fence (retrospective) - revised resubmission of 19/P/2206/FUH
at 22 Upper Bristol Road.
Fencing to the right of the gate was changed to match that on the left. Replacement walling would have been preferred. No change was proposed for the remaining. This was still considered unacceptable. (20/P/0005/FUH) APPROVED
Also in January an objection was raised against the proposed internally illuminated fascia sign at 30 Orchard Street (formally Manna Bookshop) as it does not conform to the NSC Shopfront Design Guide SPD. Also an illuminated advert (fascia) is not allowed in a Conservation Area. (19/P/2962/ADV). WITHDRAWN Although there was no objection to the change of use to restaurant/takeaway as the fascia is included in 19/P/2961/FUH
an objection was raised. APPROVED
February started with an objection to the application for the erection of a dwelling on land in Copse Close. It was considered that the proposed bungalow, with garage beneath, squeezed in between the house No. 21 and bungalow No.19 was behind the established building lines. The proposal upset the established pattern of development and results in the space and outlook between the buildings being lost. (19/P/2965/FUL). However, as the application was a re-submission of a previous proposal (17/P/0432/F) and planning permission was approved the new assessment only related to the change to the proposal. This was to site the garage under the new house instead of one in front of it. The original officer's report considered there was no distinctive building line. The Society demonstrated that was not the case. APPROVED
The month continued with an objection against the retrospective application for a 1.8 metre high timber boundary fence at 56 Old Church Road, Uphill. The justification of removing hedging based on avoiding the need for trimming could lead to a profusion of fences. The fencing completely changed and ruined the street view. (20/P/0155/FUH) REFUSED
The first objection in March was against the creation of new vehicular access including partial demolition of front boundary wall and pier, and erection of new entrance pier. Also new hardstanding in the front garden to create parking at 69 Beach Road. The justification was based on need for two spaces per dwelling which was questioned. Previous approved development of the site had removed area for parking. (20/P/0444/FUL) REFUSED
The month continued with comments generally welcoming the upgrading of 38-40 Birnbeck Road (Madeira Lodge) with part demolition including the unsympathetic extensions. The glass link between the two buildings worked well tying the building together whilst visually allowing them to be read as individual historic villas. The removal of the stone boundary wall was considered unacceptable. Further comments on details of the design were made. (19/P/3151/FUL) REFUSED
Also in March an objection was raised against the proposed replacement garden wall to 1.8m height which meant the removal of a conifer green hedge at 1 Charter Road. There was no justification for the change and it did not impact on the proposed development of a garage and workshop. (20/P/0594/FUH) APPROVED
The month ended with an objection to the proposal to widen the current driveway entrance by 1.75m by dismantling the existing stone pillar, removing a part of the wall and re-erecting the stone pillar in its new location at 43 Elmsleigh Road. In addition the existing front garden area was to be laid to permeable tarmac and stone pavers. It was considered this would be detrimental to the Conservation Area. (19/P/2806/FUH) REFUSED
April started with an objection against the garage element of the part retrospective application for erection of garage, conservatory and laying of hard standing to rear at 21 Grove Park Road. When viewed from the public realm it was considered that the garage would dominate the view between the two fine Victorian buildings. The use of wooden cladding was considered not appropriate. (20/P/0079/FUH) REFUSED
The month ended with welcoming the application from Walker and Ling to replace the existing shopfront with new shopfront, shop signage and external lighting to ground floor. As well as repairs to upper levels of front facade including replacement of uPVC windows with timber windows. However, a comment was made on the detail of the blade sign. The use of an internally projecting box sign was contrary to the North Somerset Council Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Guide. (20/P/0651/FUL)
APPROVED AFTER CHANGE TO NON ILLUMINATED SIGN
May started with an objection against the proposal to erect a timber cabin (garden office) in the front grounds of 13 Hazeldene Road. It would be visible from the road and was believed to be unsuitable for the setting. It was considered to be forbidden under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, SI 2015 No. 596. This prohibits buildings situated on land forward the original dwellinghouse. (20/P/0929/FUH)
APPROVED
The month continued with comments on the proposal for the change of use of existing ground floor former retail unit to a two bedroom self-contained flat at 35 Orchard Street. The Society believed that the shop front was of little value. The plan to retain the signage which was of poor design was not supported. An alternative approach was is suggested. (20/P/0938/FUL) APPROVED WITH MINOR CHANGES
An objection was raised against the erection of a single-storey side extension with flat roof at 183 Locking Road. The existing boundary fence to Rosedale Avenue is approximately 1.8M high and in scale to neighbouring properties. The proposed replacement of a 10M long 3M high blank (windowless) rendered wall would have an extremely negative effect on the streetscape. (20/P/0876/FUH)
REFUSED
Another objection was lodged against the proposal to convert the existing loft space with the addition of a dormer window at 1 Dickenson Road. The removal of the major part of the ornate parapet and decorated cornice to facilitate the proposed attic window was considered unacceptable as it would destroy the historic façade. (20/P/0981/FUH) APPROVED
After a quiet June and July, August began with a comment made on the proposal for the change of use of Hairdressing Salon to 1 bedroom flat residential accommodation at 8 Upper Church Road. Whilst retaining the shop windows, the application did not include plans to upgrade the external fabric. This included an odd mixture of damaged historic detail and areas of deteriorating chipboard panels particularly around the head of the projecting bay window. (20/P/1307/FUL)
REFUSED
Also in August an objection was raised against the retrospective application for a 1.75mtr high timber boundary fence at 56 Old Church Road, Uphill. A previous application 20/P/0155/FUH
was refused and the only changes were a reduction in height of 50mm and a change of colour. (20/P/1807/FUH) APPROVED
The month continued with an objection to the retrospective erection of fence on the inside of the boundary wall at 42A Walliscote Road. It is in the Conservation Area. In the Appraisal and Management Plan the loss of/inappropriate boundary treatments was considered to be significant - serious and requires action. (20/P/1773/FUH) REFUSED
The month finished with an objection against the proposed attic extension and removal of double hip configuration on front and rear roof slopes at 7 Sandcroft Avenue, Uphill. The Society considered that the proposal was overbearing in nature and had a total disregard for the street setting in particular the existing roof scape. (20/P/1817/FUH)
APPROVED
In September an objection was made against a retrospective application. A large section on the new shared use footway/cycleway at Weston Golf Club was not installed as per the approved plans. Close board fencing was installed instead of a more open fence which allows restricted view to the land beyond rather than blocking any view. It is considered to be an eyesore on this major entry into the Town from the south. (20/P/1098/MMA)
APPROVED
At the end of the month an objection was made to the retrospective application for the replacement fence along the boundary garden wall adjacent to the highway at 1 Eastern Mansions, South Road. The fencing changes the street view of Atlantic Road and puts a barrier between architecture of the listed building and the public realm. (20/P/1815/FUH
and
20/P/1816/LBC) REFUSED
October included an objection was raised over the raising of the ridge line of the Victorian Villa at 60 Bristol Road Lower and the detrimental effect this will have on the building’s original presence and proportions within the Conservation Area. (20/P/2256/FUL) It was recognised that this was an improvement on 18/P/4874/FUL
which was withdrawn.
WITHDRAWN
In December an objection was raised against the proposed erection of a secondary set of security gates to the front left-hand entrance stair case at the railway station. The proposed gates/fencing were considered to be clumsy and overbearing and would spoil the front elevation of the listed building. Alternative schemes were suggested. (20/P/2904/LBC) APPROVED AFTER AMENDED DESIGN
The final objection of the year was raised over the retrospective planning application for the erection of wooden fences that exceed 1 meter in height at 12 Clifton Road. Following a meeting of the Brandon Trust and representatives from North Somerset Council over noise complaints it was agreed that a fence would be suitable outcome. The Society found this difficult to understand and believed it did not take into account the Great Weston Conservation Area concerns. (20/P/2476/FUH)
APPROVED