Winchester planners approve applications for extension and garden home

Claire White, of Stockers Avenue, applied to Winchester City Council for permission to build a four-bedroom house.

The application also concerned the construction of associated vehicle access, with the proposed property utilising the slope the house is built on to have undercroft parking.

Plans for the property in the garden (Image: T2 Architects)

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Mrs White also submitted separate plans for a single-storey rear extension and a two-storey side and front extension to the original property. This application also covers external landscaping works with the construction of a garden office.

Council planning officers recommended that both plans should be allowed, with the applications receiving approval by Winchester City Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, September 25.

Fiona Harwood, of Stockers Avenue, voiced her objections to the planning committee, saying that “the plans are overbearing” for the second property, and that the plans for the extension “have been heavily limited by the decision to try and squeeze a second property onto the site.

“As a result, the proposed development is a compromised design that contains some troubling features.”

Cllr Jonny Morris, ward councillor for St Barnabas, also objected to both applications, voicing concerns that the development would cause the removal of a hedge on Mrs White’s property that was offering screening, and that a balcony included in the extension application would overlook neighbouring properties.

Claire White appeared before the committee, accompanied by architect Jeremy Tyrrell, to argue for her scheme. She told the committee: “I grew up in Winchester near Stockers Avenue, and always admired the area.

“This application makes efficient use of our garden space whilst respecting the neighbourhood character. We have addressed concerns about privacy and parking through design adjustments.”

Mr Tyrrell, managing director of T2 Architects, said: “The design provided to the committee is the result of thorough and extensive process of analysis and discussion. The site is quite unique in regards to its shape and size, compared to its surroundings. Therefore it requires a site-specific design response.

“Being tucked away in a corner, it is barely visible from the public realm, thereby not affecting the character of the area.”

Mr Tyrrell went on to say that the proposed dwelling is smaller than originally planned and that its size had been reduced through feedback on the original design.

Cllr Jonathan Williams said that he would be supporting the officers' recommendation, saying: “I recognise through Cllr Morris and the public speakers' objections that this is an emotive application which has come through. However, we have to go from our planning policy – through that, and the conditions that have been attached, I do think that mitigates many of the concerns that have been raised.”

Plans for the extension (Image: T2 Architects)

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Cllr Brian Laming said that he would also support the application, saying: “I take the objections quite seriously. But we have to bear in mind the policies we have in force.

“It is also quite an imaginative design in keeping with the work in the area, and as it has been built into the ground, as such, I think it is going to be less intrusive than some of the other buildings we see. So I shall be supporting the officer’s recommendation.”

The planning committee voted unanimously to approve both applications.