Planners Turn Down Infill Scheme on Putney Bridge Road


Say new house proposal would be 'detrimental' to the area


The location on Putney Bridge Road of the planned scheme

October 27, 2023

Plans to build a new two-bedroom house, incorporating a basement kitchen diner, have been turned down by Wandsworth planners who felt the scheme in Putney Bridge Road would be "detrimental" to the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

Chris Wheatcroft, from Kingham Ellis Property, applied to build the three-storey property to fit between an existing house at 150 Putney Bridge Road and the raised railway line connecting Putney Bridge and East Putney stations.

The applicant wanted to demolish an unoccupied storage shed and build the new property on the site, which is close to railway arches occupied by mechanics and tyre sales units.

It would have had street floor access leading to a living room, with one bedroom on the first floor, another on the second floor and a basement kitchen/dining room.

A report prepared by Wandsworth Council details how there had been five local objections to the scheme. Thamesfield Councillor John Locker (Conservative) listed 20 representations against the scheme, including the plan being "overbearing, not in keeping and failing to respond to local context".

Clapham-based Granit architects had said in their report supporting the application: "We do not believe the proposal to be out of keeping with the scale of the nearby properties, with 150 Putney Bridge Road being of a similar height to the proposal and retaining the relationship between the train line and surrounding built fabric in terms of massing. It shows contemporary addition to the area while retaining the principles of the urban fabric."

"We have carefully orientated the building lines and levels of the proposal to retain outlook and daylight at 150 Putney Bridge Road. We have designed around their window positions, and we hope the council agrees that although this is a non-habitable space, the quality of the space has been maintained.

"The current site is unoccupied, inaccessible and unused. This presents an opportunity for development."

But Jenifer Jackson, Wandsworth Council's Assistant Director (Planning and Transport), has taken a delegated officer's decision to refuse the plan as outlined.

She said as well as being "detrimental to the character and appearance of the surrounding area", "the proposal by reason of its design and layout would result in inadequate amenity space and substandard accommodation for future occupiers in terms of ceiling heights and light".

She added that there would be an unacceptable impact on neighbouring properties in terms of outlook and light, and there was also inadequate provision for waste.

She did suggest the applicant considered a fresh application, but it would need to cover the following required amendments:

-Revised scale, massing, design and finish
-Increased amenity space
-Comply with required standards including ceiling heights
-Provide adequate cycle and waste provision
-Provide details of ventilation/air conditioning/noise impact.

 

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