Homes urged on conservation site

Frank Hartley has applied for consent to knock down his red brick bungalow and garage on Serlby Lane, Harthill, and to build four detached four-bedroomed houses, each with a double garage, on the site.

Permission is needed to demolish the bungalow as it lies within the Harthill Conservation Area, although a similar application was refused by Rotherham Council last year.

In 2009, councillors also refused to grant permission to build two pairs of semi-detached houses and a block of four garages on the site, saying that the proposed buildings would result in an "unacceptable and incongruous element in the conservation area."

Board members also ruled that such a development would have an "unacceptable overbearing effect on the nearby residential properties."

Despite this, however, Rotherham Council's planning officers have recommended that this new application is given the go-ahead tomorrow.

They say the existing bungalow and garages are of "little architectural interest" and the new development would "enhance the character of the Conservation Area."

A report written by planning officers, which is set to go before tomorrow's meeting, says: "This part of the conservation area is of little architectural or historic merit, the buildings on either side being 1930s semi-detached dwellings of brick and render."

Six letters of objection have been sent to Rotherham Council in relation to the plans, including one from Harthill Parish Council.

Opponents say the new houses would be an "overbearing" development that would create additional traffic in the area and also result in a loss of privacy to neighbours.

They also claim the scheme would be "detrimental to the character of the conservation area."

Harthill Parish Council, meanwhile, is objecting on the basis of over-development, and has requested that councillors visit the site before making their decision.

However, planning officers say that the new houses would not have an adverse impact on neighbours.

The report says: "The application site is bounded on all sides by existing residential development, with some dwellings orientated to have views across Serlby Lane and others with views across the site.

"The proposals are designed and orientated so that they are in accordance with the parameters normally required for new development.

"Additionally, whilst the dwellings are larger in scale than most of the adjacent properties, use of the levels, which fall away from Serlby Lane, will result in no material adverse effect on the amenities of adjoining occupiers by way of overlooking or overshadowing."

Recommending that the planning application should be approved, the planners say: "The proposed development would, by way of its scale, siting design and appearance, have no adverse effect on the residential amenities of the area by way of overshadowing or overlooking, and would have a positive effect on the environment.

"It is also considered that there would be no material adverse effect on highway safety."

A decision on the planning application and application for conservation area consent will be made at Rotherham Council's next planning board meeting tomorrow at the town hall.