Planning – Application Comments

Skye Gardens is an enclosed, private development with an unadopted road. The ownership and upkeep of this road is therefore privately owned by its current owners. It would be expected that such development would require significant works, not only the bringing in of multiple heavy machinery, but also the likely disruption/lifting to the road to bring utilities to the 3 proposed houses. By introducing 'self build' propositions, this could mean multiple waves of disruption rather than a single planned process. Skye Gardens is a block paved unadopted road throughout with a single point of entry/exit.

It would therefore be my personal opinion that a controlled build of any number of properties at skye gardens would need to be undertaken by a single developer in one single build, not by self builders. I am also unclear how legally access can be ascertained in line with current property deeds held by current owners. A single developer would ensure the developer is responsible to return the condition of the site to 'as was'. 3 self build developments would not practically be able to ensure this would happen, and could result in potentially years of continuous works, noise, traffic issues etc at Skye Gardens and the surrounding area.

As well as this, by introducing 'self build' options, this could result in 3 houses that are not in keeping with the rest of the development. I am of the opinion that any properties should consider the rest of the development to be in keeping with the current 12 properties. Self build would not support this accurately.

As well as the above, as has previously been pointed out on previous planning applications at Skye Gardens, the plans provided as part of this submission are not accurate (the red lines outlining access roads). The road entrance proposed behind number 3 Skye Gardens is incorrect and creates a significant road safety issue - the rear garden fence is approximately 10 foot further back than indicated - a fire engine/ambulance would not be able to get into the estate via this point, I would recommend a visual site visit. There are no fire hydrants in place at Skye Gardens, a risk that is already in place that would further be increased with the introduction of new dwellings, as pointed out in previous planning applications for the site.

I would finally question the reasons behind this planning permission for 'self builds'. As I have maintained, we are not against the land being developed appropriately, however, this feels like an attempt to negotiate the previous rejection to planning permission rather than a genuine attempt to create opportunities for self builders. I would not be opposed to appropriate development, presuming - assurances that skye gardens would be 'put back as it was', that safety concerns are addressed and actioned, that road access/ownership/repair are considered and that any development is done so in keeping with the previously raised concerns on previous planning applications.