An application to add an extension to an Edwardian house in Winchester has been approved by council planners.
William and Sally Brewin, of Quarry Road, applied for permission to demolish an existing lean-to at the rear of their property and construct a new, single-storey extension in its place.
The plans were permitted at the city council planning committee on Wednesday, July 17.
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Alison Rayner, of Quarry Road, opposed the application, raising concerns about overlooking and blocking light into her property.
She told councillors: “All I want to say is, if you look at the photographs, it shows the by-fold doors at the back of my house, and the extension will be a metre above them, and three metres further into the garden.
“The volume of (the extension plans) is really imposing. With the land level difference, there will two metres of the extension that will be visible all the way along.”
Sally Brewin, the wife of applicant William Brewin, said that they had moved into the property last September.
She said: “As the property has been undeveloped for the last 30 years, we knew it would need updating to create a family home suitable for many years to come. A survey of the property also highlighted a number of structural issues which need addressing.
“We hope to update the house so it is fit for the 21st century while respecting its Edwardian features.
“We have worked to come up with a design using high-quality materials that we believe will enhance the property and make a positive contribution to the conservation area.
“We do not believe the objections that have been raised are justified, nor do they reflect the thought that has gone into our plans.”
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Cllr Jonathan Williams said: “The report itself is very impressive and covers a lot of concerns with overlooking. The footprint mirrors number 15, which I like, and I’m supportive of the City of Winchester Trust’s comments on the application.
“I think the only overlooking concerns I have is standing on bits of equipment to look out the windows, which has been addressed.
Cllr Suzanne White said: “I think it is important to be able to modernise historic dwellings for modern living and I think this application does that well with well-selected materials, so I am minded to support it.”
The committee voted unanimously to permit the application.
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