A resident’s plan to extend their property to include a new west wing and replace the roof has been rejected by councillors after some of the neighbours objected.
Kamaljit Reehal’s former farm house in Linford Lane, in the Willen part of Milton Keynes, lies next door to a controversial property in Portland Drive where the owner is himself fighting against council enforcement action over the way his bigger new home was built.
This time Willen Residents Group found itself battling on behalf of the what it sees as the interests of the property in Portland Drive.
Council officers agreed that they thought number 42 Portland Drive would be subjected to views of the extended property in Linford Lane, including an overbearing view from their indoor swimming pool. They recommended that the plan should be refused.
The Willen Residents Group (WRG) and five neighbours opposed the “scale of the development” which would be even larger than the home in Portland Drive, which they have battled against for years. That property is the subject of enforcement appeals being considered by the Government.
“The proposed extension of 1 Linford Lane would not be of an appropriate scale in relation to other buildings in the immediate vicinity and it would not relate well to the existing building and the plot,” WRG told planners.
The issue was taken to Thursday’s meeting of the development control panel where objectors and supporters of the plan lined up to have their say.
Supporters included long standing Lib Dem ward councillor Sam Crooks (Broughton) who said he took the submission from WRG very seriously.
But while praising WRG for the “sterling work” they have done in the issue of 42 Portland Drive, he added: “I believe that they have been unduly influenced by what is happening over 42 Portland Drive.”
He said he also took into account those who haven’t objected, including, he said number 42.
Planning agent Helen Lowe said the plans were “proportional”, would not be out of character, and would cause no harm to the neighbours.
Cllr John Bint (Cons, Broughton) countered one of Cllr Crooks’ points by saying the committee cannot consider the views of those who have not engaged with the planning process.
He said council planners relatively rarely propose refusal of plans and that was something he considered “very seriously.”
But Cllr Rex Exon (Lib Dem, Bradwell) said he was of the other opinion, and said changes in what the Government sees as “permitted development” would mean the plans would soon be automatically granted.
But Cllr Pauline Wallis (Lab, Central MK) said: ”It looks massive, I’m going to vote against.”
Councillors on the five member panel voted by four votes to one to refuse planning permission to the scheme. The owner has the right to appeal to the Government over the decision.
© MKFM News 2020
