[2023] UKUT 00185 (LC)

The Property is a three storey town house at the upper end of a stepped terrace of three similar but not identical houses within a spacious private development known as Beechcroft Manor. The plan below shows the location of Nos. 52 to 54 within that terrace and of No. 51 at the end of a separate terrace situated at a higher level. The remaining properties in Beechcroft Manor are four blocks of flats, each of three storeys. On 17 March 2022 Elbridge Borough Council granted prior approval under Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 for construction of an additional storey on each block to provide 11 additional dwellings.

The ground floor accommodation at the Property comprises a garage converted to a bedroom, an office with access to the garden and a WC. The first floor comprises a kitchen, dining room, and sitting room with balcony overlooking the rear garden. The second floor comprises a master bedroom with en-suite facilities, a bathroom and two further bedrooms, of which one is very small.

The proposed extension would provide a further bedroom, a shower room and utility room on the ground floor, allowing the converted garage to become a second study/office. On the first floor the whole of the new area would be a living room with windows to the rear and side. On the second floor the additional space would be used to provide a large new bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a dressing room and larger en-suite bathroom for the existing master bedroom. The new side elevation would have two full size windows at first floor and an additional window at second floor.

Construction of the extension would require part of the garden and its retaining wall to be taken back, at the side and front corner of the house, and a new retaining wall to be built. At the entrance regrading would be required, together with cutting back of the leylandii hedge, to give access for construction and then to provide the proposed second parking space. The construction period is expected to be at least six months.